OmniVira

Evidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in wild mustelids from Brittany (France).

Bernard Davoust1,2 Patrick Guérin3 Nicolas Orain2 Camille Fligny1,2 Fabien Flirden1,2 Florence Fenollar2,4 Oleg Mediannikov1,2 Sophie Edouard1,2
Affiliations 4 institutions
  1. Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.
  2. IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
  3. OpenHealth Company, Vannes, France.
  4. Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.
PMID35841263 DOI10.1111/tbed.14663 Year2022 Journal Transboundary and emerging diseases Transbound Emerg Dis Languageeng Statusppublish

Abstract

In the French region of Brittany, mainly in the department of the Côtes d'Armor, during the first half of 2021, seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 33 animals tested (15.6%). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was detected against at least four out of five recombinant viral proteins (S1 receptor binding domain, nucleocapsid, S1 subunit, S2 subunit and spike) in three pine martens (Martes martes) and in two badgers (Meles meles) using the automated western blot technique. An ELISA test also identified seropositive cases, although these did not align with western blot results. Although the 171 qPCRs carried out on samples from the 33 mustelids were all negative, these preliminary results from this observational study nevertheless bear witness to infections of unknown origin. The epidemiological surveillance of Covid-19 in wildlife must continue, in particular with effective serology tools.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
Covid-19 467 epidemiosurveillance 1 France 11 Martes martes 1 Meles meles 1 mustelids 6 SARS-CoV-2 550 serology 50 wildlife 48 COVID-19 425 Mustelidae 3 Animals 1948 Antibodies, Viral 212 Immunoglobulin G 24 SARS-CoV-2 453 Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus 274 Viral Proteins 152 spike protein, SARS-CoV-2 157

Evidence records

2 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
2 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Serological Evidence
2 records
OVE6163 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG targeting multiple recombinant viral proteins was detected by automated western blot in three pine martens and two badgers from Brittany, France.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
European pine marten Martes martes Natural host Eurasian badger Meles meles Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was detected against at least four out of five recombinant viral proteins (S1 receptor binding domain, nucleocapsid, S1 subunit, S2 subunit and spike) in three pine martens (Martes martes) and in two badgers (Meles meles) using the automated western blot technique.

Method
automated western blot
Sample type
serum
OVE6162 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 33 sampled in Brittany, France, indicating antibody evidence of viral exposure in this wildlife population.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
weasel, mink, badger, martens and others Mustelidae Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 33 animals tested (15.6%) in Brittany, France.

Method
serological testing | ELISA
Sample type
serum