SARS-CoV-2 infection of companion animals in Egypt and its risk of spillover.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reverse zoonoses occur because of interactions between humans and animals. Homology of ACE-2 cell receptors in different hosts and high mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 enhance viral transmission among species.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate spillover of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and companion animals.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was constructed using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, serum and blood samples collected from 66 companion animals (33 cats and 33 dogs) that were in contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive owners from December 2020 to March 2021. Swabs were screened by rRT-PCR and some positive cases were confirmed by partial spike gene sequencing. Clinical pathology and pathological studies were also performed.

Results

Our findings

SUBMITTER: Hamdy ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9857097 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature