Susceptibility of Pets to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Lessons from a Seroepidemiologic Survey of Cats and Dogs in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Melo RB (Author) Other; Vieira Pires, A (Author) Other; Agostinho Antunes (Author) FCUP; Fidalgo Carvalho, I (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Microorganisms

Vol. 37

Final page: 345

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 27 Citations

Scopus - 30 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-43M

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020345

Abstract (EN): Betacoronavirus (beta-CoV) are positive single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect mammals. In 2019, a novel zoonotic beta-CoV emerged, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2. Although the most frequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission route is within humans, spillover from humans to domestic and wild animals has been reported, including cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and minks (Neovision vision). In order to understand the potential role of domestic animals in SARS-CoV-2 global transmission, as well their susceptibility to infection, a seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 15/69 (21.74%) cats and 7/148 (4.73%) dogs. Of the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive animals, 11/22 (50.00%) were possibly infected by human-to-animal transmission, and 5/15 (33.33%) cats were probably infected by cat-to-cat transmission. Moreover, one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Data suggest that cats and dogs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in natural conditions. Hence, a one-health approach is crucial in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to understand the risk factors beyond infection in a human-animal environment interface.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15