An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 with high mortality in mink (Neovison vison) on multiple Utah farms

The breadth of animal hosts that are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and may serve as reservoirs for continued viral transmission are not known entirely. In August 2020, an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred in multiple mink farms in Utah and was associated with high mink mortality and rapid viral transmission between animals. The outbreak's epidemiology, pathology, molecular characterization, and tissue distribution of virus within infected mink is provided. Infection of mink was likely by reverse zoonosis. Once established, infection spread rapidly between independently housed animals and farms, and caused severe respiratory disease and death. Clinical signs were most notably sudden death, anorexia, and increased respiratory effort. Gross pathology examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema. Microscopically there was pulmonary edema with moderate vasculitis, perivasculitis, and fibrinous interstitial pneumonia. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of tissues collected at necropsy demonstrated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in multiple organs including nasal turbinates, lung, tracheobronchial lymph node, epithelial surfaces, and others. Whole genome sequencing from multiple mink was consistent with published SARS-CoV-2 genomes with few polymorphisms. The Utah mink SARS-CoV-2 strain fell into Clade GH, which is unique among mink and other animal strains sequenced to date and did not share other spike RBD mutations Y453F and F486L found in mink. Localization of viral RNA by in situ hybridization revealed a more localized infection, particularly of the upper respiratory tract. Mink in the outbreak reported herein had high levels of virus in the upper respiratory tract associated with mink-to-mink transmission in a confined housing environment and were particularly susceptible to disease and death due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 with high mortality in mink (Neovison vison) on multiple Utah farms

PLoS Pathogens ◽

10.1371/journal.ppat.1009952 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. e1009952

Author(s):

Chrissy D. Eckstrand ◽

Thomas J. Baldwin ◽

Kerry A. Rood ◽

Michael J. Clayton ◽

Jason K. Lott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Viral Transmission ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Tracheobronchial Lymph Node ◽

Multiple Organs ◽

Disease Information ◽

Upper Respiratory

The breadth of animal hosts that are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and may serve as reservoirs for continued viral transmission are not known entirely. In August 2020, an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred on five mink farms in Utah and was associated with high mink mortality (35–55% of adult mink) and rapid viral transmission between animals. The premise and clinical disease information, pathology, molecular characterization, and tissue distribution of virus within infected mink during the early phase of the outbreak are provided. Infection spread rapidly between independently housed animals and farms, and caused severe respiratory disease and death. Disease indicators were most notably sudden death, anorexia, and increased respiratory effort. Gross pathology examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema. Microscopically there was pulmonary edema with moderate vasculitis, perivasculitis, and fibrinous interstitial pneumonia. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of tissues collected at necropsy demonstrated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in multiple organs including nasal turbinates, lung, tracheobronchial lymph node, epithelial surfaces, and others. Localization of viral RNA by in situ hybridization revealed a more localized infection, particularly of the upper respiratory tract. Whole genome sequencing from multiple mink was consistent with published SARS-CoV-2 genomes with few polymorphisms. The Utah mink SARS-CoV-2 strains fell into Clade GH, which is unique among mink and other animal strains sequenced to date. While sharing the N501T mutation which is common in mink, the Utah strains did not share other spike RBD mutations Y453F and F486L found in nearly all mink from the United States. Mink in the outbreak reported herein had high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract associated with symptomatic respiratory disease and death.

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Experimental re-infected cats do not transmit SARS-CoV-2

10.1101/2021.01.18.427182 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Natasha N. Gaudreault ◽

Mariano Carossino ◽

Igor Morozov ◽

Jessie D. Trujillo ◽

David A. Meekins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Lymphoid Tissues ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Post Secondary ◽

Secondary Challenge ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Upper Respiratory

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and responsible for the current global pandemic. We and others have previously demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can efficiently transmit the virus to naïve cats. Here, we address whether cats previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 can be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2. In two independent studies, SARS-CoV-2-infected cats were re-challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days post primary challenge (DPC) and necropsies performed at 4, 7 and 14 days post-secondary challenge (DP2C). Sentinels were co-mingled with the re-challenged cats at 1 DP2C. Clinical signs were recorded, and nasal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs, blood, and serum were collected and tissues examined for histologic lesions. Viral RNA was transiently shed via the nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal cavities of the re-challenged cats. Viral RNA was detected in various tissues of re-challenged cats euthanized at 4 DP2C, mainly in the upper respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues, but less frequently and at lower levels in the lower respiratory tract when compared to primary SARS-CoV-2 challenged cats at 4 DPC. Histologic lesions that characterized primary SARS-CoV-2 infected cats at 4 DPC were absent in the re-challenged cats. Naïve sentinels co-housed with the re-challenged cats did not shed virus or seroconvert. Together, our results indicate that cats previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be experimentally re-infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the levels of virus shed was insufficient for transmission to co-housed naïve sentinels. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats induces immune responses that provide partial, non-sterilizing immune protection against reinfection.

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Effects of famciclovir in cats with spontaneous acute upper respiratory tract disease

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x19857587 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 492-499

Author(s):

Lucy Kopecny ◽

David J Maggs ◽

Christian M Leutenegger ◽

Lynelle R Johnson

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Response To Therapy ◽

Study Entry ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Disease ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Disease ◽

Tract Disease ◽

Group D

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the effects of famciclovir administration in cats with spontaneously acquired acute upper respiratory tract disease. Methods Twenty-four kittens with clinical signs of acute upper respiratory tract disease were randomly allocated to receive doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h) alone (group D; n = 12) or with famciclovir (90 mg/kg PO q12h; group DF; n = 12) for up to 3 weeks. Clinical disease severity was scored at study entry and daily thereafter. Oculo-oropharyngeal swabs collected at study entry and exit were assessed using quantitative PCR for nucleic acids of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydia felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Mycoplasma felis. Results The median (range) age of cats was 1.5 (1–6) months in group D vs 1.6 (1–5) months in group DF ( P = 0.54). Pathogens detected in oculo-oropharyngeal swabs at study entry included FCV (n = 13/24; 54%), M felis (n = 8/24; 33%), FHV-1 (n = 7/24; 29 %), C felis (n = 7/24; 29%) and B bronchiseptica (n = 3/24; 12%). Median (range) duration of clinical signs was 11.5 (3–21) days in group DF and 11 (3–21) days in group D ( P = 0.75). Median (range) total disease score at the end of the study did not differ between groups (group D 1 [1–1] vs group DF 1 [1–3]; P = 0.08). Conclusions and relevance This study revealed no significant difference in response to therapy between cats treated with doxycycline alone or with famciclovir; cats improved rapidly in both groups. However, identification of FHV-1 DNA was relatively uncommon in this study and clinical trials focused on FHV-1-infected cats are warranted to better evaluate famciclovir efficacy.

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Sinusitis in Infants and Children

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894921010s108 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 101 (1_suppl) ◽

pp. 37-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Ellen R. Wald

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Maxillary Sinusitis ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Clinical Problem ◽

Nasal Discharge ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

Upper Respiratory

The major clinical problem in considering a diagnosis of sinusitis is differentiating uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection from a secondary bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses that may benefit from antimicrobial therapy. A diagnosis of sinusitis is suggested by presentation with protracted upper respiratory tract symptoms or a cold that is more severe than usual with fever and purulent nasal discharge. Confirmatory tests of sinus disease are transillumination (useful in adolescents if interpretation is confined to the extremes — normal or absent); radiographic findings of opacification, mucous membrane thickening, or an air-fluid level; and sinus aspiration (indicated for severe pain, clinical failures, or complicated disease). When clinical signs and symptoms are accompanied by abnormal radiographic findings, bacteria in high colony count are recovered from the maxillary sinus aspirate in 70% of patients. The common bacterial species recovered from children with acute maxillary sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, and Hemophilus influenzae.

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Localization of Human Rhinovirus Replication in the Upper Respiratory Tract by In Situ Hybridization

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/171.5.1329 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 171 (5) ◽

pp. 1329-1333 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

E. Arruda ◽

T. R. Boyle ◽

B. Winther ◽

D. C. Pevear ◽

J. M. Gwaltney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Human Rhinovirus ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory

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Intranasal HD-Ad vaccine protects the upper and lower respiratory tracts of hACE2 mice against SARS-CoV-2

Cell & Bioscience ◽

10.1186/s13578-021-00723-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huibi Cao ◽

Juntao Mai ◽

Zhichang Zhou ◽

Zhijie Li ◽

Rongqi Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Receptor Binding ◽

Intramuscular Injection ◽

Upper Airway ◽

Viral Transmission ◽

Spike Protein ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Complete Protection ◽

Upper Respiratory

Abstract Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 185 million recorded cases and over 4 million deaths worldwide. Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for emergency use in humans and are being used in many countries. However, all the approved vaccines are administered by intramuscular injection and this may not prevent upper airway infection or viral transmission. Results Here, we describe a novel, intranasally delivered COVID-19 vaccine based on a helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vector. The vaccine (HD-Ad_RBD) produces a soluble secreted form of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and we show it induced robust mucosal and systemic immunity. Moreover, intranasal immunization of K18-hACE2 mice with HD-Ad_RBD using a prime-boost regimen, resulted in complete protection of the upper respiratory tract against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion Our approaches provide a powerful platform for constructing highly effective vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.

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Predicción molecular de serotipos de Streptococcus suis aislados de granjas porcinas en México

Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Pecuarias ◽

10.22319/rmcp.v12i3.5668 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 681-693

Author(s):

Arianna Romero Flores ◽

Marcelo Gottschalk ◽

Gabriela Bárcenas Morales ◽

Víctor Quintero Ramírez ◽

Rosario Esperanza Galván Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Streptococcus Suis ◽

Second Step ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Molecular Approaches ◽

Pig Farming ◽

Pig Farms ◽

Upper Respiratory

Infections caused by Streptococcus suis (S. suis) pose a problem for the pig industry worldwide. Pigs often carry multiple serotypes of S. suis in the upper respiratory tract, where S. suis is frequently isolated from. The clinical diagnosis of the infection is presumptive and is generally based on clinical signs, the age of the animal and macroscopic lesions. In the laboratory, identification of S. suis is performed biochemically, and then, serotyping is performed with antisera to determine the serotype, but these tests can be inconclusive. To date, there are few studies that have documented the presence and diversity of S. suis serotypes in Mexico. In the present study, it was characterized S. suis strains from Mexican pig farms using molecular approaches; samples were first processed by PCR of the gdh gene to detect S. suis. Positive samples were then subjected to a two-step multiplex PCR (cps PCR) to detect and characterize each strain; the first step consisted of a grouping PCR and the second step consisted of a typing PCR. The serotypes detected in the pig farming areas of Mexico included 1/2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, and 23. These findings are important for the characterization of serotypes present in Mexico and for outbreak prevention.

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