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Literature detail

SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Viral Isolations among Serially Tested Cats and Dogs in Households with Infected Owners in Texas, USA.

Sarah A Hamer1 Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa1,2 Italo B Zecca1 Edward Davila1 Lisa D Auckland1 Christopher M Roundy3 Wendy Tang3 Mia Kim Torchetti4 Mary Lea Killian4 Melinda Jenkins-Moore4 Katie Mozingo4 Yao Akpalu5 Ria R Ghai6 Jessica R Spengler6 Casey Barton Behravesh6 Rebecca S B Fischer7 Gabriel L Hamer3
Affiliations 7 institutions
  1. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
  2. Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, SARS-CoV-2 National Reference Laboratory and Regional Reference Laboratory in the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil.
  3. Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
  4. National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
  5. Brazos County Health Department, Bryan, TX 77803, USA.
  6. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
  7. School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
PMID 34069453 2021 Viruses eng epublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

Understanding the ecological and epidemiological roles of pets in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for animal and human health, identifying household reservoirs, and predicting the potential enzootic maintenance of the virus. We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets from 25.6% of 39 households met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. This includes three out of seventeen (17.6%) cats and one out of fifty-nine (1.7%) dogs that were positive by RT-PCR and sequencing, with the virus successfully isolated from the respiratory swabs of one cat and one dog. Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas. Re-sampling showed persistence of viral RNA for at least 25 d-post initial test. Additionally, seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2-3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. 'Reverse zoonotic' transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected people to animals may occur more frequently than recognized.

cats dogs neutralizing antibodies reverse zoonosis SARS-CoV-2 virus isolation Animals Antibodies, Neutralizing Cat Diseases Cats COVID-19 Dog Diseases Dogs Humans Longitudinal Studies Pets SARS-CoV-2 Texas

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

7 total
Serological Evidence 2 records
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were found in 43.8% of cats sampled, showing evidence of infection and immune response in household pets exposed to infected humans.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2-3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion.

Method
neutralization test
Sample type
serum
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 11.9% of dogs, indicating serological evidence of exposure and infection among household pets.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2-3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion.

Method
neutralization test
Sample type
serum
Spillover Event 2 records
Spillover Event Extraction confidence 0.98
Key finding

Human-to-animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was documented in Texas households, with confirmed infections and viral isolation in pet cats and dogs exposed to infected owners.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States United States
Supporting text

We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas. 'Reverse zoonotic' transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected people to animals may occur more frequently than recognized.

Method
RT-PCR; sequencing; virus isolation
Study design
longitudinal household transmission study
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Texas, USA
Country inferred
United States
Spillover Event Extraction confidence 0.98
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 spillback from infected humans to household dogs was confirmed through PCR and virus isolation.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States United States
Supporting text

We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas. 'Reverse zoonotic' transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected people to animals may occur more frequently than recognized.

Method
RT-PCR; sequencing; virus isolation
Study design
longitudinal household transmission study
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Texas, USA
Country inferred
United States
Zoonotic Surveillance 2 records
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Serial zoonotic surveillance detected SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral isolation in household cats and dogs cohabiting with infected humans in Texas.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States Texas, United States
Supporting text

We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets from 25.6% of 39 households met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. This includes three out of seventeen (17.6%) cats and one out of fifty-nine (1.7%) dogs that were positive by RT-PCR and sequencing, with the virus successfully isolated from the respiratory swabs of one cat and one dog.

Method
RT-PCR; sequencing; virus isolation
Sample type
respiratory swabs
Geographic raw
Texas
Country inferred
United States
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Serological surveillance detected neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs, indicating exposure and immune persistence during follow-up.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States Texas, United States
Supporting text

Additionally, seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2-3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion.

Method
serology
Sample type
serum
Geographic raw
Texas
Country inferred
United States
Genomic Evolution 1 records
Genomic Evolution Extraction confidence 0.80
Key finding

Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from infected cats and dogs revealed variants clustering with human SARS-CoV-2 genomes circulating in Texas.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas.

Genes or proteins
whole genome
Analysis methods
whole-genome sequencing; phylogenetic grouping