Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets has been widely documented during the last year. Although the majority of reports suggested that dogs' susceptibility to the infection is low, little is known about viral pathogenicity and transmissibility in the case of variants of concern, such as B.1.1.7 in this species. Here, as part of a large-scale study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in pets in Spain, we have detected the B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in a dog whose owners were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The animal did not present any symptoms, but viral loads were high in the nasal and rectal swabs. In addition, viral isolation was possible from both swabs, demonstrating that the dog was shedding infectious virus. Seroconversion occurred 23 days after the first sampling. This study documents the first detection of B.1.1.7 VOC in a dog in Spain and emphasizes the importance of performing active surveillance and genomic investigation on infected animals.
We have detected the B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in a dog whose owners were infected with SARS-CoV-2... emphasizes the importance of performing active surveillance and genomic investigation on infected animals.
Genes or proteins
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
Analysis methods
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Serological Evidence1 records
Serological EvidenceExtraction confidence 0.88
Key finding
A dog infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Spain showed seroconversion 23 days after initial sampling.
Seroconversion occurred 23 days after the first sampling.
Sample type
serum
Spillover Event1 records
Spillover EventExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Human-to-dog spillback of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant was confirmed, with infectious virus detected and isolation achieved from the dog’s swabs in Spain.
We have detected the B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in a dog whose owners were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Viral isolation was possible from both swabs, demonstrating that the dog was shedding infectious virus.
Here, as part of a large-scale study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in pets in Spain, we have detected the B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in a dog whose owners were infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Method
genomic investigation; viral isolation
Sample type
nasal swab; rectal swab
Geographic raw
Spain
Country inferred
Spain
Citation context
References
28 references
Reference network
Force-directed citation graph. OmniVira-indexed references are prioritized and recursively expanded up to three steps.
Two-step strategy for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/01 and other variants with spike deletion H69-V70, France, August to December 2020
Animals and SARS-CoV-2: Species susceptibility and viral transmission in experimental and natural conditions, and the potential implications for community transmission
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pets living with COVID-19 owners diagnosed during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain: A case of an asymptomatic cat with SARS-CoV-2 in Europe
