OmniVira

Literature detail

SARS-CoV-2 exposure in wild white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>).

Jeffrey C Chandler1 Sarah N Bevins1 Jeremy W Ellis1 Timothy J Linder2 Rachel M Tell3 Melinda Jenkins-Moore3 J Jeffrey Root1 Julianna B Lenoch2 Suelee Robbe-Austerman3 Thomas J DeLiberto1 Thomas Gidlewski2 Mia Kim Torchetti3 Susan A Shriner4,5
Affiliations 5 institutions
  1. National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521.
  2. National Wildlife Disease Program, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521.
  3. National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010.
  4. National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521
  5. [email protected].
PMID 34732584 2021 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A eng ppublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

Widespread human SARS-CoV-2 infections combined with human-wildlife interactions create the potential for reverse zoonosis from humans to wildlife. We targeted white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) for serosurveillance based on evidence these deer have angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors with high affinity for SARS-CoV-2, are permissive to infection, exhibit sustained viral shedding, can transmit to conspecifics, exhibit social behavior, and can be abundant near urban centers. We evaluated 624 prepandemic and postpandemic serum samples from wild deer from four US states for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021 using a surrogate virus neutralization test. A subset of samples tested with a SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization test showed high concordance between tests. These data suggest white-tailed deer in the populations assessed have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

deer SARS-CoV-2 wildlife disease Animals COVID-19 Deer Great Lakes Region SARS-CoV-2 Seroepidemiologic Studies

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

3 total
Serological Evidence 1 records
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 1.00
Key finding

White-tailed deer serum samples collected in 2021 showed 40% seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies based on surrogate and virus neutralization tests, indicating exposure in free-ranging populations.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

We evaluated 624 prepandemic and postpandemic serum samples from wild deer from four US states for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021 using a surrogate virus neutralization test. A subset of samples tested with a SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization test showed high concordance between tests.

Method
surrogate virus neutralization test; virus neutralization test
Sample type
serum
Spillover Event 1 records
Spillover Event Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Wild white-tailed deer were found to have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, consistent with human-to-deer spillback of the virus in the United States.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States four US states, United States
Supporting text

We evaluated serum samples from wild white-tailed deer for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021. These data suggest white-tailed deer in the populations assessed have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Method
surrogate virus neutralization test; virus neutralization test
Study design
serological survey
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
four US states
Country inferred
United States
Zoonotic Surveillance 1 records
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Serosurveillance detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 40% of wild white-tailed deer sampled in four US states in 2021.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
United States four US states, United States
Supporting text

We evaluated 624 prepandemic and postpandemic serum samples from wild deer from four US states for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021 using a surrogate virus neutralization test.

Method
serology; surrogate virus neutralization test; virus neutralization test
Sample type
serum
Geographic raw
four US states
Country inferred
United States