First Description of a Multisystemic and Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern P.1 (Gamma) Infection in a FeLV-Positive Cat: New Concerns Regarding Viral Re-emergence and Adaption to Pets

Abstract Background: Coronaviruses are recognized for their ability to cross the species barrier and infect new hosts. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). It remains unclear whether other animals, including pets, are crucial in the spread and maintenance of COVID-19 worldwide. Methods: In this study, we analysed the first fatal case of a SARS-CoV-2 and FeLV (Feline leukemia virus) co-infection of an eight-year-old male cat. We carried out a clinical evaluation, pathological analysis, and viral genomic analysis. Results: As main results, we observed an animal presenting severe acute respiratory syndrome and lesions in several organs, which led to animal’s death. The causative agent was confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2, variant of concern P.1 (Gamma). The virus presented a pattern of mutations potentially associated with feline infection. In addition, the virus was detected by RT-qPCR in the spleen, liver, heart, lungs, trachea, intestines and kidneys, indicating a multisystemic viral infection. The virus was found in a high load in the trachea, suggesting a capacity of transmitting the virus. Conclusion: Our data show that felines, such as FeLV-positive cats, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and may be intermediate hosts in this pandemic.

Download Full-text

The Human Coronavirus Disease COVID-19: Its Origin, Characteristics, and Insights into Potential Drugs and Its Mechanisms

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9050331 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 331 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Lo’ai Alanagreh ◽

Foad Alzoughool ◽

Manar Atoum

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Genomic Structure ◽

Genomic Analysis ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Human Coronavirus ◽

The World ◽

Clinical Drugs

The emerging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swept across the world, affecting more than 200 countries and territories. Genomic analysis suggests that the COVID-19 virus originated in bats and transmitted to humans through unknown intermediate hosts in the Wuhan seafood market, China, in December of 2019. This virus belongs to the Betacoronavirus group, the same group of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and for the similarity, it was named SARS-CoV-2. Given the lack of registered clinical therapies or vaccines, many physicians and scientists are investigating previously used clinical drugs for COVID-19 treatment. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the CoVs origin, pathogenicity, and genomic structure, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2. Besides, we summarize the recently investigated drugs that constitute an option for COVID-19 treatment.

Download Full-text

Fatal toxoplasmosis in an immunosuppressed domestic cat from Brazil caused by Toxoplasma gondii clonal type I

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612017025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 177-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hilda Fátima de Jesus Pena ◽

Camila Mariellen Evangelista ◽

Renata Assis Casagrande ◽

Giovana Biezus ◽

Claudia Salete Wisser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Fatal Case ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Feline Leukemia Virus ◽

Type I ◽

Clonal Type ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Pcr Targeting

Abstract The objective of the study was to report on a fatal case of feline toxoplasmosis with coinfection with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). A domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) presented intense dyspnea and died three days later. In the necropsy, the lungs were firm, without collapse and with many white areas; moderate lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly were also observed. The histopathological examination showed severe necrotic interstitial bronchopneumonia and mild necrotic hepatitis, associated with intralesional cysts and tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii that were positive by anti-T. gondii immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation. The bone marrow showed chronic myeloid leukemia and the neoplastic cells were positive by anti-FeLV IHC evaluation. DNA extracted from lungs was positive for T. gondii by PCR targeting REP-529. T. gondii was characterized by PCR-RFLP and by the microsatellites technique. ToxoDB-PCR-RFLP #10, i.e. the archetypal type I, was identified. Microsatellite analysis showed that the strain was a variant of type I with two atypical alleles. This was the first time that a T. gondii clonal type I genotype was correlated with a case of acute toxoplasmosis in a host in Brazil.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Spike Protein Binding to ACE2 Receptors from Human, Pets, Farm Animals, and Putative Intermediate Hosts

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.00831-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 (15) ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Xiaofeng Zhai ◽

Jiumeng Sun ◽

Ziqing Yan ◽

Jie Zhang ◽

Jin Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Binding Site ◽

Protein S ◽

Spike Protein ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Species Barrier ◽

Interaction Sites

ABSTRACT The emergence of a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in a pandemic. Here, we used X-ray structures of human ACE2 bound to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein (S) from SARS-CoV-2 to predict its binding to ACE2 proteins from different animals, including pets, farm animals, and putative intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2. Comparing the interaction sites of ACE2 proteins known to serve or not serve as receptors allows the definition of residues important for binding. From the 20 amino acids in ACE2 that contact S, up to 7 can be replaced and ACE2 can still function as the SARS-CoV-2 receptor. These variable amino acids are clustered at certain positions, mostly at the periphery of the binding site, while changes of the invariable residues prevent S binding or infection of the respective animal. Some ACE2 proteins even tolerate the loss or acquisition of N-glycosylation sites located near the S interface. Of note, pigs and dogs, which are not infected or are not effectively infected and have only a few changes in the binding site, exhibit relatively low levels of ACE2 in the respiratory tract. Comparison of the RBD of S of SARS-CoV-2 with that from bat coronavirus strain RaTG13 (Bat-CoV-RaTG13) and pangolin coronavirus (Pangolin-CoV) strain hCoV-19/pangolin/Guangdong/1/2019 revealed that the latter contains only one substitution, whereas Bat-CoV-RaTG13 exhibits five. However, ACE2 of pangolin exhibits seven changes relative to human ACE2, and a similar number of substitutions is present in ACE2 of bats, raccoon dogs, and civets, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may not be especially adapted to ACE2 of any of its putative intermediate hosts. These analyses provide new insight into the receptor usage and animal source/origin of SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 is threatening people worldwide, and there are no drugs or vaccines available to mitigate its spread. The origin of the virus is still unclear, and whether pets and livestock can be infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2 are important and unknown scientific questions. Effective binding to the host receptor ACE2 is the first prerequisite for infection of cells and determines the host range. Our analysis provides a framework for the prediction of potential hosts of SARS-CoV-2. We found that ACE2 from species known to support SARS-CoV-2 infection tolerate many amino acid changes, indicating that the species barrier might be low. Exceptions are dogs and especially pigs, which revealed relatively low ACE2 expression levels in the respiratory tract. Monitoring of animals is necessary to prevent the generation of a new coronavirus reservoir. Finally, our analysis also showed that SARS-CoV-2 may not be specifically adapted to any of its putative intermediate hosts.

Download Full-text

EFFICIENCY OF USING GENODIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ASSESSMENT OF PERINATAL INFECTION OF YOUNG ANIMALS IN PREVENTION OF LEUKEMIA OF CATTLE

Problems of Veterinary Sanitation, Hygiene and Ecology ◽

10.36871/vet.san.hyg.ecol.202004007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 450-455

Author(s):

N.G. Kozyreva ◽

◽

I.Yu. Abashin ◽

L.A. Ivanova ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Products ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Genomic Analysis ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Infection Frequency ◽

Perinatal Infection ◽

Serological Method ◽

Drinking Milk

This article presents the results of determining the level of perinatal infection of calves with the bovine leukemia virus at the age from birth to colostrum intake and 1-1.5 months after birth when drinking milk from healthy individuals, excluding the alimentary transmission route, with an infection frequency of 5.4% in the surveyed farm. Improvement of molecular diagnostics based on genomic analysis in the scheme of complex antiepizootic/recreational measures for bovine leukemia has been carried out in order to improve the quality of dairy products. As part of the implementation and improvement of the scheme of preventive measures, a positive trend was found, expressed in a tendency to a 3.6-fold decrease in the frequency of detection of BLV infection of young animals. In the course of work, the efficiency of the use of a gene diagnostic test - multiplex PCR-RT – as a tool for the specific prevention of bovine leukemia of calves in the early stages of the disease was shown: the relative diagnostic sensitivity of the PCR-RT technique is at a level not lower than that of the serological method and differs in the side of overestimation by 3.8 times.

Download Full-text