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Literature detail

SARS-CoV-2 in animals: From potential hosts to animal models.

Anna Michelitsch1 Kerstin Wernike2 Lorenz Ulrich1 Thomas C Mettenleiter1 Martin Beer1
Affiliations 2 institutions
  1. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
  2. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID 34353482 2021 Adv Virus Res eng ppublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

Within only one year after the first detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), nearly 100 million infections were reported in the human population globally, with more than two million fatal cases. While SARS-CoV-2 most likely originated from a natural wildlife reservoir, neither the immediate viral precursor nor the reservoir or intermediate hosts have been identified conclusively. Due to its zoonotic origin, SARS-CoV-2 may also be relevant to animals. Thus, to evaluate the host range of the virus and to assess the risk to act as potential animal reservoir, a large number of different animal species were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 or monitored in the field in the last months. In this review, we provide an update on studies describing permissive and resistant animal species. Using a scoring system based on viral genome detection subsequent to SARS-CoV-2 inoculation, seroconversion, the development of clinical signs and transmission to conspecifics or humans, the susceptibility of diverse animal species was classified on a semi-quantitative scale. While major livestock species such as pigs, cattle and poultry are mostly resistant, companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species used in research, including several Cricetidae species and non-human primates, are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. By natural infections, it became obvious that American minks (Neovison vison) in fur farms, e.g., in the Netherlands and Denmark are highly susceptible resulting in local epidemics in these animals.

Animal models COVID-19 Experimental infection Intermediate hosts Livestock Mustelids Reservoir hosts SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Animals Animals, Wild COVID-19 Disease Reservoirs Disease Susceptibility Host Specificity Livestock Models, Animal Pets

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

8 total
Host Range Experiment 6 records
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections showed that pigs, cattle, and poultry are largely resistant to SARS-CoV-2, whereas companion animals have moderate susceptibility and Cricetidae rodents and non-human primates are highly susceptible.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Sus scrofa
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

A large number of different animal species were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2... major livestock species such as pigs, cattle and poultry are mostly resistant, companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species including Cricetidae species and non-human primates are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections demonstrated that cattle are largely resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Bos taurus
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

A large number of different animal species were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2... major livestock species such as pigs, cattle and poultry are mostly resistant, companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species including Cricetidae species and non-human primates are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections showed poultry are largely resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Aves
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

A large number of different animal species were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2... major livestock species such as pigs, cattle and poultry are mostly resistant, companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species including Cricetidae species and non-human primates are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections suggested that companion animals have moderate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Not specified
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species including Cricetidae species and non-human primates are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections showed that Cricetidae rodents and non-human primates are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Primates
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Several model animal species used in research, including several Cricetidae species and non-human primates, are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range Experiment Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Experimental infections demonstrated that Cricetidae species are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Host
Cricetidae
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Several model animal species used in research, including several Cricetidae species and non-human primates, are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Method
experimental infection
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Reservoir Ecology 1 records
Reservoir Ecology Extraction confidence 0.70
Key finding

American mink populations on fur farms in the Netherlands and Denmark showed natural infections and local epidemics of SARS-CoV-2, indicating their ecological role as a possible maintenance reservoir.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Netherlands Denmark
Supporting text

By natural infections, it became obvious that American minks (Neovison vison) in fur farms, e.g., in the Netherlands and Denmark are highly susceptible resulting in local epidemics in these animals.

Method
field monitoring
Geographic raw
fur farms in the Netherlands and Denmark
Spillover Event 1 records
Spillover Event Extraction confidence 0.70
Key finding

Natural infections of American minks on fur farms in the Netherlands and Denmark indicate SARS-CoV-2 spillback from humans to minks resulting in local mink epidemics.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Netherlands Denmark
Supporting text

By natural infections, it became obvious that American minks (Neovison vison) in fur farms, e.g., in the Netherlands and Denmark are highly susceptible resulting in local epidemics in these animals.

Study design
field surveillance
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Netherlands and Denmark