OmniVira

Increase in SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in UK Domestic Felids Despite Weak Immunogenicity of Post-Omicron Variants.

Grace B Tyson1,2 Sarah Jones1,2 Chloe Montreuil-Spencer2 Nicola Logan1 Sam Scott1 Hagar Sasvari1 Michael McDonald2 Leigh Marshall2 Pablo R Murcia1 Brian J Willett1 William Weir2 Margaret J Hosie1,2
Affiliations 2 institutions
  1. MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
  2. School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
PMID37632004 DOI10.3390/v15081661 Year2023 Journal Viruses Languageeng Statusepublish

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in domestic cats have caused concern for both animal health and the potential for inter-species transmission. Cats are known to be susceptible to the Omicron variant and its descendants, however, the feline immune response to these variants is not well defined. We aimed to estimate the current seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in UK pet cats, as well as characterise the neutralising antibody response to the Omicron (BA.1) variant. A neutralising seroprevalence of 4.4% and an overall seroprevalence of 13.9% was observed. Both purebred and male cats were found to have the highest levels of seroprevalence, as well as cats aged between two and five years. The Omicron variant was found to have a lower immunogenicity in cats than the B.1, Alpha and Delta variants, which reflects previous reports of immune and vaccine evasion in humans. These results further underline the importance of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in UK cats as the virus continues to evolve.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
cats 133 coronaviruses 32 ELISA 28 feline infections 1 neutralising antibodies 2 SARS-CoV-2 550 serology 50 COVID-19 425 SARS-CoV-2 453 Animals 1948 Cats 120 Child, Preschool 37 Humans 1440 Male 224 Pandemics 108 Seroepidemiologic Studies 113 United Kingdom 8 SARS-CoV-2 variants 86

Evidence records

1 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Serological Evidence
1 records
OVE7280 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in UK pet cats, with an overall seroprevalence of 13.9% and neutralising seroprevalence of 4.4%.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
domestic cat Felis catus Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

We aimed to estimate the current seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in UK pet cats, as well as characterise the neutralising antibody response to the Omicron (BA.1) variant. A neutralising seroprevalence of 4.4% and an overall seroprevalence of 13.9% was observed.

Method
serology | neutralisation assay
Sample type
serum (implied)