Dataset Information

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 revealed that 30% of cats (10/33) and 24% of dogs (8/33) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. While 33% of these animals were asymptomatic (6/18), 28% showed mild respiratory signs (5/18) and 39% displayed severe respiratory signs (7/18) including 4 dead cats 40% (4/10). Partial spike gene sequencing of 6 positive samples collected in December 2020 were identical to SARS-CoV-2 that was detected in humans in Egypt in that time frame. Clinical pathology findings revealed thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, as well as elevated levels of D-dimer, LDH, CRP, and ferritin. Post-mortem and histopathological examinations illustrated multisystemic effects.

Conclusions

There is a potential occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 spillover between humans and pet animals.

Impacts

The present study highlighted the potential occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 spillover between humans and their companion animals. Biosecurity measures should be applied to decrease spread of SARS-CoV-2 among humans and pet animals.

SUBMITTER: Hamdy ME

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

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

Hamdy Mervat E ME El-Deeb Ayman H AH Hagag Naglaa M NM Shahein Momtaz A MA Liyanage Namal P M NPM Shalaan Mohamed M Hussein Hussein A HA

Veterinary medicine and science 20221214 1

<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aimed to investigate spillover of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and companion animals.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study was constructed using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, serum and blood samples collected from 66 companion animals (33 ca ...[more]

PMID: 36516308

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Project description:The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a zoonotic disease caused by the pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2. Domestic and wild animals are susceptible to infection and are potential reservoirs for virus variants. To date, there is no information about the exposure of companion animals in Buenos Aires Suburbs, the area with the largest population in Argentina where the highest number of COVID-19 human cases occurred during the first infection wave. Here we developed a multi-species indirect ELISA to measure antibodies reactive to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) from several vertebrates constituting the class Mammalia, making it a valuable tool for field serosurveillance. The ELISA cut-off value was estimated by sera from dogs, cats, cattle, and pigs sampled before 2019 (n = 170), considering a 98% percentile and a grey zone to completely exclude any false positive result. Specificity was confirmed by measuring levels of neutralizing antibodies against canine coronavirus, the avidity of specific antibodies, and their capacity to impede the binding of a recombinant RBD protein to VERO cells in an In-Cell ELISA. Sera from 464 cats and dogs sampled in 2020 and 2021 ("pandemic" samples) were assessed using the RBD-ELISA. Information on COVID-19 disease in the household and the animals' lifestyles was collected. In Buenos Aires Suburbs cats were infected at a higher proportion than dogs, seroprevalence was 7.1 and 1.68%, respectively. Confirmed COVID-19 in the caregivers and outdoor lifestyle were statistically associated with seropositivity in cats. The risk of cats getting infected living indoors in COVID-19-negative households was null. The susceptibility of mammals to SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission between animals themselves and humans, together with the free-roaming lifestyle typical of Buenos Aires suburban companion animals, urge pursuing responsible animal care and avoiding human interaction with animals during the disease course. The multi-species RBD-ELISA we developed can be used as a tool for serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mammalians (domestic and wild), guiding further targeted virological analyses to encounter susceptible species, interspecies transmission, and potential virus reservoirs in our region.

Dataset Information

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

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Impacts

Publications

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

Similar Datasets

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