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Susceptibility of Pets to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Lessons from a Seroepidemiologic Survey of Cats and Dogs in Portugal.

Ricardo Barroso1 Alexandre Vieira-Pires2,3 Agostinho Antunes1,4 Isabel Fidalgo-Carvalho2,5
Affiliations 5 institutions
  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
  2. Equigerminal, S.A., Rua Eduardo Correia, n°13 lote 20.12, 3030-507 Coimbra, Portugal.
  3. CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB) and Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra (III UC), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
  4. CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
  5. CIVG - Vasco da Gama Research Center, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama (EUVG), Campus Universitário, Av. José R. Sousa Fernandes, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal.
PMID35208799 DOI10.3390/microorganisms10020345 Year2022 Journal Microorganisms Languageeng Statusepublish

Abstract

Betacoronavirus (β-CoV) are positive single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect mammals. In 2019, a novel zoonotic β-CoV emerged, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2. Although the most frequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission route is within humans, spillover from humans to domestic and wild animals has been reported, including cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and minks (Neovision vision). In order to understand the potential role of domestic animals in SARS-CoV-2 global transmission, as well their susceptibility to infection, a seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 15/69 (21.74%) cats and 7/148 (4.73%) dogs. Of the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive animals, 11/22 (50.00%) were possibly infected by human-to-animal transmission, and 5/15 (33.33%) cats were probably infected by cat-to-cat transmission. Moreover, one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Data suggest that cats and dogs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in natural conditions. Hence, a one-health approach is crucial in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to understand the risk factors beyond infection in a human-animal environment interface.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
cats 133 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 5 diagnosis 3 dogs 180 epidemiology 48 one-health 5 SARS-CoV-2 550 zoonosis 116

Evidence records

5 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
5 records · 2 evidence types
Evidence type Viral Detection
1 records
OVE5678 Viral Detection
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in one dog in Portugal.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
dog Canis lupus familiaris Natural host
Location
Portugal
Supporting text

In order to understand the potential role of domestic animals in SARS-CoV-2 global transmission, as well their susceptibility to infection, a seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Moreover, one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Method
RNA detection | PCR test
Sample type
sample from dog
Geographic raw
Portugal
Country inferred
PRT
Evidence type Serological Evidence
4 records
OVE5680 Serological Evidence
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 transmission was inferred to occur between cats based on serological evidence.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
domestic cat Felis catus Natural host
Location
Portugal
Supporting text

In order to understand the potential role of domestic animals in SARS-CoV-2 global transmission, as well their susceptibility to infection, a seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Of the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive animals, 11/22 (50.00%) were possibly infected by human-to-animal transmission, and 5/15 (33.33%) cats were probably infected by cat-to-cat transmission.

Method
serological testing
OVE5679 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Some SARS-CoV-2 seropositive cats and dogs in Portugal were possibly infected through human-to-animal transmission.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
human Homo sapiens Natural host domestic cat Felis catus Natural host dog Canis lupus familiaris Natural host
Location
Portugal
Supporting text

A seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Of the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive animals, 11/22 (50.00%) were possibly infected by human-to-animal transmission.

Method
serology