Literature detail

High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at One of Three Captive Cervid Facilities in Texas.

Christopher M Roundy1 Chase M Nunez2 Logan F Thomas2 Lisa D Auckland3 Wendy Tang1 Jack J Richison2 Breanna R Green4 Clayton D Hilton4 Michael J Cherry4 Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa3 Gabriel L Hamer1 Walter E Cook2 Sarah A Hamer2,3
Affiliations 4 institutions
  1. Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
  2. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
  3. Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
  4. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsvillle, Texas, USA.
PMID 35319276 2022 Microbiol Spectr eng ppublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

Free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across the United States are increasingly recognized for infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Through a cross-sectional study of 80 deer at three captive cervid facilities in central and southern Texas, we provide evidence of 34 of 36 (94.4%) white-tailed deer at a single captive cervid facility seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by neutralization assay (PRNT<sub>90</sub>), with endpoint titers as high as 1,280. In contrast, all tested white-tailed deer and axis deer (<i>Axis axis</i>) at two other captive cervid facilities were seronegative, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in respiratory swabs from deer at any of the three facilities. These data support transmission among captive deer that cannot be explained by human contact for each infected animal, as only a subset of the seropositive does had direct human contact. The facility seroprevalence was more than double of that reported from wild deer, suggesting that the confined environment may facilitate transmission. Further exploration of captive cervids and other managed animals for their role in the epizootiology of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for understanding impacts on animal health and the potential for spillback transmission to humans or other animal taxa. <b>IMPORTANCE</b> As SARS-CoV-2 vaccine coverage of the human population increases and variants of concern continue to emerge, identification of the epidemiologic importance of animal virus reservoirs is critical. We found that nearly all (94.4%) of the captive white-tailed deer at a cervid facility in central Texas had neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2. This seroprevalence is over double than that which has been reported from free-ranging deer from other regions of the United States. Horizontal transmission among deer may be facilitated in confinement. Tracking new infections among wild and confined deer is critical for understanding the importance of animal reservoirs for both veterinary and human health.

captive cervid coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spillover white-tailed deer zoonosis COVID-19 Deer Animals COVID-19 Vaccines Cross-Sectional Studies Humans SARS-CoV-2 Seroepidemiologic Studies Texas Odocoileus virginianus

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

3 total
1 records
Extraction confidence 0.70
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred among captive white-tailed deer in Texas independently of human contact.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

These data support transmission among captive deer that cannot be explained by human contact for each infected animal, as only a subset of the seropositive does had direct human contact.

Method
neutralization assay; cross-sectional study
Study design
serological survey
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Texas
Country inferred
United States
1 records
Extraction confidence 1.00
Key finding

34 of 36 captive white-tailed deer in Texas were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by PRNT90 neutralization assay, indicating high seroprevalence among captive deer.

Virus
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

We provide evidence of 34 of 36 (94.4%) white-tailed deer at a single captive cervid facility seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by neutralization assay (PRNT90), with endpoint titers as high as 1,280.

Method
neutralization assay; PRNT90
Sample type
serum
1 records
Extraction confidence 0.85
Key finding

Serological surveillance revealed 94.4% seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among captive white-tailed deer in Texas.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

Through a cross-sectional study of 80 deer at three captive cervid facilities in central and southern Texas, we provide evidence of 34 of 36 (94.4%) white-tailed deer at a single captive cervid facility seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by neutralization assay (PRNT90).

Method
neutralization assay; PRNT90; cross-sectional study
Sample type
serum; respiratory swab
Geographic raw
Texas
Country inferred
United States