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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a free ranging leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in India.

ABSTRACT: We report an incidence of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). The case was detected during routine screening. Post-mortem and laboratory examination suggested virus-induced interstitial pneumonia. Viral genome could be detected in various organs including brain, lung, spleen, and lymph nodes by real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequence analysis confirmed infection of Pango lineage B.1.617.2 of SARS-CoV-2. Till now, only Asiatic lions have been reported to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 in India. Infections in animals were detected during peak phase of pandemic and all the cases were captive with close contacts with humans, whereas the present case was observed when human cases were significantly low. No tangible evidence linked to widespread infection in the wild population and the incidence seems to be isolated case. High nucleotide sequence homology with prevailing viruses in humans suggested spillover infection to the animal. This report underlines the need for intensive screening of wild animals for keeping track of the virus evolution and development of carrier status of SARS-CoV-2 among wildlife species.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10344-022-01608-4.

SUBMITTER: Mahajan S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9380657 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a free ranging leopard (<i>Panthera pardus fusca</i>) in India.

Mahajan Sonalika S Karikalan Mathesh M Chander Vishal V Pawde Abhijit M AM Saikumar G G Semmaran M M Lakshmi P Sree PS Sharma Megha M Nandi Sukdeb S Singh Karam Pal KP Gupta Vivek Kumar VK Singh Raj Kumar RK Sharma Gaurav Kumar GK

European journal of wildlife research 20220816 5

We report an incidence of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging Indian leopard (<i>Panthera pardus fusca</i>). The case was detected during routine screening. Post-mortem and laboratory examination suggested virus-induced interstitial pneumonia. Viral genome could be detected in various organs including brain, lung, spleen, and lymph nodes by real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequence analysis confirmed infection of Pango lineage B.1.617.2 of SARS-CoV-2. Till now, only Asiatic lions have bee ...[more]

PMID: 35992994

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