Infectious potential and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wild rats.

ABSTRACT: Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a wide range of animal species (pets, mink…) have been naturally infected with this betacoronavirus. The emergence of new variants has increased the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect species that were not susceptible to the "original" SARS-CoV-2, such as mice and rats. This work attempted to evaluate the role of urban rats in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission by combining surveillance studies of rat populations in urban environments, in vivo experimental inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 and comparative viral-receptor interaction in silico analyses. We studied the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wild Rattus norvegicus (n = 401) captured in urban areas and sewage systems of several French cities. Except for 3 inc

SUBMITTER: Beissat K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12068656 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature