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Literature detail

First detection of an Italian human-to-cat outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant - lineage B.1.1.7.

Roberto Zoccola1 Chiara Beltramo1 Gabriele Magris2,3 Simone Peletto1 Pierluigi Acutis1 Elena Bozzetta1 Slobodanka Radovic4 Francesco Zappulla5 Anna Maria Porzio6 Maria Silvia Gennero1 Alessandro Dondo1 Chiara Pasqualini7 Bartolomeo Griglio8 Angelo Ferrari1 Giuseppe Ru1 Maria Goria1
Affiliations 8 institutions
  1. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin I-10154, Italy.
  2. Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine I-33100, Italy.
  3. Istituto di Genomica Applicata, Udine I-33100, Italy.
  4. IGA Technology Services srl, Udine I-33100, Italy.
  5. Regione Piemonte - Local Health Unit Novara - Department of Prevention, Health Service - Veterinary Services, Arona (No), I-28041, Italy.
  6. Veterinary Clinic "San Giuliano", Gozzano (No), I-28024, Italy.
  7. Regione Piemonte - Regional Service for Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases (SEREMI), I-15121 Alessandria, Italy.
  8. Regione Piemonte - Health and Welfare Department, Turin I-10100, Italy.
PMID 34316508 2021 One Health eng ppublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and their rapid spread pose a threat to both human and animal health and may conceal unknown risks. This report describes an Italian human-to-cat outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (the <i>Alpha variant</i>) . On March 7th, 2021, approximately ten days after COVID-19 appeared in the family, the onset of respiratory signs in a cat by COVID-19-affected owners led to an in-depth diagnostic investigation, combining clinical and serological data with rt-qPCR-based virus detection and whole genome sequencing. The Alpha variant was confirmed first in the owners and a few days later in the cat that was then monitored weekly: the course was similar with one-week lag time in the cat. In addition, based on comparative analysis of genome sequences from our study and from 200 random Italian cases of Alpha variant, the familial cluster was confirmed. The temporal sequence along with the genomic data support a human-to-animal transmission. Such an event emphasizes the importance of studying the circulation and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans and animals to better understand and prevent potential spillover risks or unwarranted alerts involving our pet populations.

Cat Human-to-animal transmission Infection cluster One health approach Sars-CoV-2 alpha variant lineage B.1.1.7

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

4 total
Genomic Evolution 1 records
Genomic Evolution Extraction confidence 0.80
Key finding

Comparative whole genome sequencing showed that SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant sequences from the human owners and their cat formed a closely related cluster consistent with human-to-cat transmission.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Whole genome sequencing and comparative analysis of genome sequences from our study and from 200 random Italian cases of Alpha variant confirmed the familial cluster and supported a human-to-animal transmission.

Genes or proteins
whole genome
Analysis methods
whole genome sequencing; comparative genome analysis
Outbreak Investigation 1 records
Outbreak Investigation Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Confirmed human-to-cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant within a household in Italy.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Italy Italy
Supporting text

This report describes an Italian human-to-cat outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (the Alpha variant). On March 7th, 2021, approximately ten days after COVID-19 appeared in the family, the onset of respiratory signs in a cat by COVID-19-affected owners led to an in-depth diagnostic investigation, combining clinical and serological data with rt-qPCR-based virus detection and whole genome sequencing. The Alpha variant was confirmed first in the owners and a few days later in the cat that was then monitored weekly. The temporal sequence along with the genomic data support a human-to-animal transmission.

Method
clinical data; serological data; rt-qPCR-based virus detection; whole genome sequencing
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Italy
Country inferred
Italy
Outbreak setting
household
Outbreak time
March 7th, 2021
Outbreak scale
single household case
Serological Evidence 1 records
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Serological data confirmed exposure and infection of the cat with SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant following contact with infected owners.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

The onset of respiratory signs in a cat by COVID-19-affected owners led to an in-depth diagnostic investigation, combining clinical and serological data with rt-qPCR-based virus detection and whole genome sequencing.

Method
serological assay
Sample type
serum
Spillover Event 1 records
Spillover Event Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7) was transmitted from infected human owners to their cat in Italy, supported by genomic and temporal evidence.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Italy Italy
Supporting text

This report describes an Italian human-to-cat outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (the Alpha variant)... The temporal sequence along with the genomic data support a human-to-animal transmission.

Method
rt-qPCR; serology; whole genome sequencing
Study design
outbreak investigation
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Italy
Country inferred
Italy