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Literature detail

Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019-2023.

Anna Didkowska1 Víctor Martín-Santander2,3 Marlena Wojciechowska4 Wanda Olech4 Krzysztof Anusz5 Antonio Fernández2,3,6 Janine E Davies3 Álex Gómez2,6 Natacha Peña-Fresneda7 Maykel Arias7,8 Delia Lacasta2,3,6 Aurora Ortín2,3,6 María Dolores Pérez6,9 Sergio Villanueva-Saz10,11,12 Diana Marteles2,3
Affiliations 12 institutions
  1. Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, Warsaw, 02-787, Poland. [email protected].
  2. Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain.
  3. Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain.
  4. Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Ciszewskiego 8, Warsaw, 02-786, Poland.
  5. Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, Warsaw, 02-787, Poland.
  6. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, 50013, Spain.
  7. Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, 50009, Spain.
  8. CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
  9. Department of Animal Production and Sciences of the Food, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
  10. Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain. [email protected].
  11. Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain. [email protected].
  12. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, 50013, Spain. [email protected].
PMID 40022124 2025 BMC Vet Res eng epublish
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown. However, it is likely that the virus spillover occurred from an animal reservoir to humans. Identifying animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding cross-species transmission to humans. This study distinguishes itself by focusing on the susceptibility of the European bison (Bison bonasus), an endangered species, to SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a substantial number (n = 238) of both free-living and captive Polish European bison using an in-house ELISA method and virus neutralization test (VNT). The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be 1.29% (3/232). None of the seropositive European bison tested positive in the virus neutralization test. All seropositive animals were part of captive herds. This study represents the first report of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in both free-ranging and captive European bison in Poland. Based on these findings, the European bison appears to be a less susceptible species to SARS-CoV-2. The most probable route of transmission was from humans to European bison, as all seropositive animals belonged to captive herds with contact with indirect human sources, such as tourists and keepers.

Bison bonasus ELISA Poland SARS-Cov-2 Serology VNT Antibodies, Viral Bison COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Animals Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Female Male Neutralization Tests Poland Seroepidemiologic Studies

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

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

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in European bison in Poland with a seroprevalence of 1.29%, all in captive herds, indicating limited susceptibility.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a substantial number (n = 238) of both free-living and captive Polish European bison using an in-house ELISA method and virus neutralization test (VNT). The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be 1.29% (3/232). None of the seropositive European bison tested positive in the virus neutralization test.

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

Serological evidence indicates human-to-European bison spillback of SARS-CoV-2 in captive herds in Poland.

Virus
SARS-CoV-2
Location
Poland Poland
Supporting text

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be 1.29%. All seropositive animals were part of captive herds. The most probable route of transmission was from humans to European bison, as all seropositive animals belonged to captive herds with contact with indirect human sources, such as tourists and keepers.

Method
ELISA; virus neutralization test
Study design
serological survey
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Poland
Country inferred
Poland