scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease and transmission in domestic cats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha N. Gaudreault ◽  
Jessie D. Trujillo ◽  
Mariano Carossino ◽  
David A. Meekins ◽  
Igor Morozov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Susceptible Host ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Transmission Studies

AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and responsible for the current pandemic. Recent SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and transmission studies in cats show that the virus can replicate in these companion animals and transmit to other cats. Here, we present an in-depth study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated disease and transmission dynamics in domestic cats. Six 4- to 5-month-old cats were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 via intranasal and oral routes simultaneously. One day post challenge (DPC), two sentinel contact cats were co-mingled with the principal infected animals. Animals were monitored for clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities and viral shedding throughout the 21 DPC observation period. Postmortem examinations were performed at 4, 7 and 21 DPC to investigate disease progression. Viral RNA was not detected in blood but transiently in nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as various tissues. Tracheobronchoadenitis of submucosal glands with the presence of viral RNA and antigen was observed in airways of the infected cats on 4 and 7 DPC. Serology showed that both, principal and sentinel cats, developed SARS-CoV-2-specific and neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detectable at 7 DPC or 10 DPC, respectively. All animals were clinically asymptomatic during the course of the study and capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to sentinels within 2 days of comingling. The results of this study are critical for our understanding of the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 in a naturally susceptible host species, and for risk assessment of the maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 in felines and transmission to other animals and humans.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the Domestic Cat Population of Germany

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 772
Author(s):  
Anna Michelitsch ◽  
Donata Hoffmann ◽  
Kerstin Wernike ◽  
Martin Beer
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transmission Cycle

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are popular companion animals that live in close contact with their human owners. Therefore, the risk of a trans-species spreading event between domestic cats and humans is ever-present. Shortly after the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its rapid spread around the world, the role of domestic cats in the transmission cycle was questioned. In the present study, the first large-scale survey of antibody occurrence in the domestic cat population in Germany was conducted, in order to assess the incidence of naturally occurring human to cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 920 serum samples, which were collected from April to September of 2020, were screened by an indirect multispecies ELISA. Positive samples were verified using an indirect immunofluorescence test (iIFT) and additionally tested for neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, serum samples were screened for antibodies against feline coronavirus (FCoV), in order to rule out cross-reactivity in the described test systems. Overall, 0.69% (6/920) of serum samples were found to be positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA and iIFT. Two of these reactive sera also displayed neutralizing antibodies. No cross-reactivity with FCoV-specific antibodies was observed. The finding of SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positive serum samples in the domestic cat population of Germany, during a period when the incidence of human infection in the country was still rather low, indicates that human-to-cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 happens, but there is no indication of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in cats.

scholarly journals Pathogenesis, transmission and response to re-exposure of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Bosco-Lauth ◽  
Airn E. Hartwig ◽  
Stephanie M. Porter ◽  
Paul W. Gordy ◽  
Mary Nehring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Vaccine Strategy ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Infection Resistance

AbstractThe pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has reached nearly every country in the world with extraordinary person-to-person transmission. The most likely original source of the virus was spillover from an animal reservoir and subsequent adaptation to humans sometime during the winter of 2019 in Wuhan Province, China. Because of its genetic similarity to SARS-CoV-1, it is likely that this novel virus has a similar host range and receptor specificity. Due to concern for human-pet transmission, we investigated the susceptibility of domestic cats and dogs to infection and potential for infected cats to transmit to naïve cats. We report that cats are highly susceptible to subclinical infection, with a prolonged period of oral and nasal viral shedding that is not accompanied by clinical signs, and are capable of direct contact transmission to other cats. These studies confirm that cats are susceptible to productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, but are unlikely to develop clinical disease. Further, we document that cats develop a robust neutralizing antibody response that prevented re-infection to a second viral challenge. Conversely, we found that dogs do not shed virus following infection, but do mount an anti-viral neutralizing antibody response. There is currently no evidence that cats or dogs play a significant role in human exposure; however, reverse zoonosis is possible if infected owners expose their domestic pets during acute infection. Resistance to re-exposure holds promise that a vaccine strategy may protect cats, and by extension humans, to disease susceptibility.

scholarly journals Nonclinical Safety and Immunogenicity of an rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine in mice, hamsters, rabbits and pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noa Madar-Balakirski ◽  
Amir Rosner ◽  
Sharon Melamed ◽  
Boaz Politi ◽  
Michal Steiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Regional Lymph Node ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Vaccination Site ◽  
Viral Shedding

rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2-S is a clinical stage (Phase 2) replication competent recombinant vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Nonclinical safety, immunogenicity and efficacy studies were conducted in 4 animal species, using multiple dose levels (up to 10e8 PFU/animal) and various dosing regimens. There were no treatment related mortalities in any study, or any noticeable clinical signs. Compared to unvaccinated controls, hematology and biochemistry parameters were unremarkable and no adverse histopathological findings gave cause for safety concern in any of the studies. There was no viral shedding in urine, nor viral RNA detected in whole blood or serum samples 7 days post vaccination. The rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine immune response gave rise to neutralizing antibodies, cellular immune response, and increased lymphocytic cellularity in the spleen germinal centers and regional lymph node. No evidence for neurovirulence was found in C57BL/6 immune competent mice or in highly sensitive IFNAR KO mice. Vaccine virus replication and distribution in K18 hACE2 transgenic mice showed a gradual clearance from the vaccination site with no vaccine virus recovered from the lungs. The rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine was well tolerated locally and systemically and elicited an effective immunogenic response up to the highest dose tested, supporting further clinical development.

scholarly journals Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 in domesticated animals and its potential of transmission: A meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 2782-2792
Author(s):  
Yos Adi Prakoso ◽  
Chylen Setiyo Rini ◽  
Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum ◽  
Nurul Hidayah ◽  
Dyah Widhowati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Domesticated Animals ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Short Period

Background and Aim: The coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a global lockdown, which has limited the mobility of the public, and thus, more time is spent with their pets. Unfortunately, many social media have blamed pet animals as a reservoir of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of COVID-19, triggering a panic abandonment of pets. However, no article has summarized the information regarding the role of pets as SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs. This study aimed to evaluate the role of pets as a reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of research papers (i.e., animal model, surveillance, and case report) published in 2020. Materials and Methods: The review was conducted using articles from the PubMed database in 2020, using the keywords "COVID-19 in domesticated animals," which were screened and analyzed. Only the data from research articles were mimicked and transformed to conduct a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was conducted regarding the effects of inhabitation and viral shedding in pets. In this study, we used 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 132 papers in PubMed were related to the keywords, whereas only 12 papers were appropriate to answer the dynamics of the role of pets as the reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. Seven studies indicated the potential of cat-cat (4/7), human-cat (2/7), and human-dog (1/7) SARS-CoV-2 transmission. No study proved the presence of cat-human transmission. Another study showed that comingling did not affect SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding among a cat and dog. Furthermore, the viral shedding of cats and dogs caused asymptomatic manifestations and generated neutralizing antibodies within a short period of time. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 transmission is present in domesticated animals, especially in pet cats and dogs, and transmission occurs between animals of the same species (cat-cat). The reverse zoonosis (zooanthroponosis) was found from human to cat/dog (comingled) with asymptomatic clinical signs due to the representation of neutralizing antibodies.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Pathogenicity of Two Different Branches of Senecavirus a Strain in China

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huawei Zhang ◽  
Pin Chen ◽  
Genxi Hao ◽  
Wenqiang Liu ◽  
Huanchun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Nasal Swab ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Particle Morphology ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Plaque Size ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Vesicular Disease

Senecavirus A (SVA), an emerging infectious disease, is associated with the porcine idiopathic vesicular disease. Here, the pathogenesis of different strains of SVA was investigated in growing-finishing pigs. We aimed to evaluate the replication characteristics, virus particle morphology, clinical signs, and vesicular lesions in comparison with two different strains of SVA. The animals were infected with SVA HB-CH-2016 or CH/AH-02/2017 by intranasal routes (3 mL, 109TCID50/mL) and monitored daily for 14 days post-inoculation (dpi) for clinical signs and vesicular lesions. Viremia or viral shedding was detected in the blood, fecal swab, and nasal swab samples. Results showed no distinct differences in plaque size, replication ability, and characteristic virions between SVA HB-CH-2016 and CH/AH-02/2017 strains. Animal experimental results showed that both SVA CH/AH-02/2017 and SVA HB-CH-2016 could infect pigs. However, an obvious difference in the pathogenicity and dynamics of infection was observed between SVA HB-CH-2016 and CH/AH-02/2017 strains. The pathogenesis of SVA CH/AH-02/2017 was similar to that of published results of USA strains, whereas the SVA HB-CH-2016 strain had low pathogenicity to pigs. Clinical signs and vesicular lesions were observed in SVA CH/AH-02/2017-infected pigs. Additionally, the different branches of SVA should be capable of inducing broad cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies, which play an important role in clearing the SVA virus. This study of animal models for SVA infection will be beneficial to develop vaccines and antivirals.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal Manifestation of Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection in an Immunocompromised Dog

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Lennon ◽  
Alfonso Oceguera ◽  
Eli Braun ◽  
Stephen D. Cole ◽  
Nolan V. Chalifoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Companion Animals ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Hepatic Transaminases ◽  
Gastrointestinal Manifestation ◽  
Clinical Description ◽  
Viral Sequencing

SARS-CoV-2 infects a range of host species. However, the susceptibility of companion animals to SARS-CoV-2 and their potential ability to transmit the virus to humans remains unclear. Here, we present a detailed clinical description of an immunosuppressed dog that was infected with SARS-CoV-2. The dog had severe gastrointestinal (GI) clinical signs, coagulopathy, elevated hepatic transaminases, and met canine systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, without respiratory clinical signs, mirroring a subset of humans with GI-restricted COVID-19. Viral sequencing demonstrated divergence from other reported sequences, based on phylogenetic analysis. The dog shed high levels of virus for a prolonged time period with positive virus isolation. The dog’s immunosuppressed state may have increased both susceptibility to infection and disease progression. Together, our findings suggest that certain individual companion animals may be at higher risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-like disease, and high viral shedding, which may pose a transmission risk to humans.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of an Inactivated Marker Vaccine against Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Stefano Petrini ◽  
Alessandra Martucciello ◽  
Francesco Grandoni ◽  
Giovanna De Matteis ◽  
Giovanna Cappelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Challenge ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Water Buffaloes ◽  
Marker Vaccine ◽  
Viral Shedding

Recent studies have explored the seropositivity of Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in water buffaloes, suggesting the urgency for developing strategies to eradicate the virus involving both cattle and water buffaloes. However, in Europe, the glycoprotein E (gE) deleted marker vaccines against BoHV-1 are commercially available only for the cattle industry. This study, for the first time, evaluated the safety and efficacy of a commercial inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccine in water buffalo. Five animals devoid of BoHV-1-neutralizing antibodies were vaccinated via intramuscular route. Five additional animals served as an unvaccinated control group. Sixty days after the first immunization, all animals were experimentally infected with a virulent BoHV-1via intranasal route. A detectable BoHV-1-humoral immune response was observed in the vaccinated group on post-vaccination day 30, whereas the antibodies appeared on post-challenge day 10 in the control group. Moreover, the vaccinated animals neither show viral shedding nor clinical signs compared to the control upon challenge. However, post-challenge, the BoHV-1-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were significantly more increased in vaccinated animals than the control animals. Overall, the present study provides evidence of both the safety and efficacy of an inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccine against BoHV-1 in water buffaloes.

scholarly journals Animal Coronavirus Diseases: Parallels with COVID-19 in Humans

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1507
Author(s):  
Chao-Nan Lin ◽  
Kuan Rong Chan ◽  
Eng Eong Ooi ◽  
Ming-Tang Chiou ◽  
Minh Hoang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Organization ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Feline Infectious Peritonitis ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Related Disease ◽  
The Past ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Historical Archives ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus in humans, has expanded globally over the past year. COVID-19 remains an important subject of intensive research owing to its huge impact on economic and public health globally. Based on historical archives, the first coronavirus-related disease recorded was possibly animal-related, a case of feline infectious peritonitis described as early as 1912. Despite over a century of documented coronaviruses in animals, the global animal industry still suffers from outbreaks. Knowledge and experience handling animal coronaviruses provide a valuable tool to complement our understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we present an overview of coronaviruses, clinical signs, COVID-19 in animals, genome organization and recombination, immunopathogenesis, transmission, viral shedding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. By drawing parallels between COVID-19 in animals and humans, we provide perspectives on the pathophysiological mechanisms by which coronaviruses cause diseases in both animals and humans, providing a critical basis for the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics against these deadly viruses.

scholarly journals Evidence of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats living with owners with a history of COVID-19 in Lima – Peru

One Health ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 100318
Author(s):  
Luis M. Jara ◽  
Cusi Ferradas ◽  
Francesca Schiaffino ◽  
Camila Sánchez-Carrión ◽  
Ana Martinez-Vela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
History Of

Children With Influenza A Infection: Treatment With Rimantadine

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
Caroline Breese Hall ◽  
Raphael Dolin ◽  
Christine L. Gala ◽  
David M. Markovitz ◽  
Yu Qin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Clinical Signs And Symptoms

Treatment with rimantadine of influenza in children and the potential development of resistance in clinical isolates associated with therapy have not been previously studied. We compared rimantadine to acetaminophen therapy in a controlled, double-blind study of 91 children with influenza-like illness. Of 69 children with proven influenza A/H3N2 infection, 37 received rimantadine and 32 received acetaminophen for five days. Children receiving rimantadine showed significantly greater reduction in fever and improvement in daily scores for symptoms and severity of illness during the first three days. Viral shedding also diminished significantly during the first two days but subsequently increased such that by days 6 and 7 the proportion of children shedding virus, as well as the quantity of virus shed, was significantly greater in the rimantadine group. During the seven-day study, of the 22 children in the rimantadine group with serial isolates tested, ten (45.5%) had resistant isolates compared with two (12.5%) of those with serial isolates in the acetaminophen group (P < .03). Thus, of the total 37 children in the rimantadine group, 27% were found to have resistant isolated compared with 6% in the total group receiving acetaminophen (P < .04). Furthermore, the mean inhibitory concentration of rimantadine increased with time in the rimantadine group (r = .4, P = .002) but not in the acetaminophen group. Rimantadine therapy, thus, appears to be significantly more effective than acetaminophen in ameliorating the clinical signs and symptoms of influenza in children. Treatment with rimantadine was also associated with increased viral shedding after the medication was discontinued and with the development of resistance in the clinical isolates, the significance of which is unknown.

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