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Literature detail

SARS-CoV-2 Serological and Biomolecular Analyses among Companion Animals in Campania Region (2020-2021).

Lorena Cardillo1 Claudio de Martinis1 Sergio Brandi2 Martina Levante1 Loredana Cozzolino1 Luisa Spadari3 Federica Boccia4 Carmine Carbone4 Marina Pompameo5 Giovanna Fusco2
Affiliations 5 institutions
  1. Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy.
  2. Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy.
  3. Unit of Serology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy.
  4. Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), Napoli 3 Sud, 80100 Naples, Italy.
  5. Unit of Animal Health "Presidio Ospedaliero Veterinario", Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), Napoli 1 Centro, 80100 Naples, Italy.
PMID 35208718 2022 Microorganisms eng epublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

The first reports of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic and wild animals, together with the rapid emergence of new variants, have created serious concerns regarding a possible spillback from animal hosts, which could accelerate the evolution of new viral strains. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both owned and stray pets. A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations. No viral RNA was detected, while anti-N antibodies were observed in six animals (1.3%), one dog (0.8%) and five cats (1.7%). Animals' background revealed that owned cats, living with owners with COVID-19, showed significantly different prevalence compared to stray ones (<i>p</i> = 0.0067), while no difference was found among dogs. Among the seropositive pets, three owned cats also showed moderate neutralizing antibody titers. Pets and other species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection because of the spike affinity towards their ACE2 cellular receptor. Nevertheless, the risk of retransmission remains unclear since pet-to-human transmission has never been described. Due to the virus' high mutation rate, new reservoirs cannot be excluded; thus, it is reasonable to test pets, mostly if living in households affected by COVID-19.

cat dog real-time RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 serology surveillance

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

4 total
Serological Evidence 2 records
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 0.98
Key finding

Anti-N antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in one dog and five cats in Campania, with three cats showing neutralizing antibody titers, indicating prior exposure.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations. No viral RNA was detected, while anti-N antibodies were observed in six animals (1.3%), one dog (0.8%) and five cats (1.7%). Among the seropositive pets, three owned cats also showed moderate neutralizing antibody titers.

Method
serological examinations; neutralization test
Sample type
serum
Serological Evidence Extraction confidence 0.98
Key finding

Anti-N antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in one dog in Campania, indicating exposure to the virus.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations. No viral RNA was detected, while anti-N antibodies were observed in six animals (1.3%), one dog (0.8%) and five cats (1.7%).

Method
serological examinations
Sample type
serum
Zoonotic Surveillance 2 records
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Dogs in Campania were surveyed for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR and serological assays; no viral RNA was found and one dog showed anti-N antibodies.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Italy Campania Region, Italy
Supporting text

A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations.

Method
RT-PCR; serology
Geographic raw
Campania Region
Country inferred
Italy
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Cats in Campania were surveyed for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR and serological assays; five cats were seropositive and three owned cats displayed moderate neutralizing antibody titers.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Italy Campania Region, Italy
Supporting text

A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations.

Method
RT-PCR; serology
Geographic raw
Campania Region
Country inferred
Italy