Detection and Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a Domestic Cat with Respiratory Signs in Switzerland

Since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019, domestic cats have been demonstrated to be susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) under natural and experimental conditions. As pet cats often live in very close contact with their owners, it is essential to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats in a One-Health context. This study reports the first SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cat in a COVID-19-affected household in Switzerland. The cat (Cat 1) demonstrated signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, including sneezing, inappetence, and apathy, while the cohabiting cat (Cat 2) remained asymptomatic. Nasal, oral, fecal, fur, and environmental swab samples were collected twice from both cats and analyzed by RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Both nasal swabs from Cat 1 tested positive. In addition, the first oral swab from Cat 2 and fur and bedding swabs from both cats were RT-qPCR positive. The fecal swabs tested negative. The infection of Cat 1 was confirmed by positive SARS-CoV-2 S1 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody testing and neutralizing activity in a surrogate assay. The viral genome sequence from Cat 1, obtained by next generation sequencing, showed the closest relation to a human sequence from the B.1.1.39 lineage, with one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) difference. This study demonstrates not only SARS-CoV-2 infection of a cat from a COVID-19-affected household but also contamination of the cats’ fur and bed with viral RNA. Our results are important to create awareness that SARS-CoV-2 infected people should observe hygienic measures to avoid infection and contamination of animal cohabitants.

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Dose-dependent response to infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the ferret model and evidence of protective immunity

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-20439-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn A. Ryan ◽

Kevin R. Bewley ◽

Susan A. Fotheringham ◽

Gillian S. Slack ◽

Phillip Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Immunity ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Dose Titration ◽

High Dose ◽

Lung Pathology ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Virus Shedding ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Titration Study

AbstractThere is a vital need for authentic COVID-19 animal models to enable the pre-clinical evaluation of candidate vaccines and therapeutics. Here we report a dose titration study of SARS-CoV-2 in the ferret model. After a high (5 × 106 pfu) and medium (5 × 104 pfu) dose of virus is delivered, intranasally, viral RNA shedding in the upper respiratory tract (URT) is observed in 6/6 animals, however, only 1/6 ferrets show similar signs after low dose (5 × 102 pfu) challenge. Following sequential culls pathological signs of mild multifocal bronchopneumonia in approximately 5–15% of the lung is seen on day 3, in high and medium dosed groups. Ferrets re-challenged, after virus shedding ceased, are fully protected from acute lung pathology. The endpoints of URT viral RNA replication & distinct lung pathology are observed most consistently in the high dose group. This ferret model of SARS-CoV-2 infection presents a mild clinical disease.

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Exploring the Traveler’s Intentions to Use Public Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic While Complying with Precautionary Measures

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083630 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3630

Author(s):

Muhammad Abdullah ◽

Nazam Ali ◽

Charitha Dias ◽

Tiziana Campisi ◽

Muhammad Ashraf Javid

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Close Contact ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Developing Regions ◽

Infected People ◽

The Public ◽

Policy Interventions ◽

Study Results ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Safety Guidelines

Public transport use has drastically declined during the COVID-19 pandemic because the virus spreads through close contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces, especially in closed-environments. Evidence suggests that following the necessary safety guidelines can limit the spread of the virus, however, non-compliance to precautionary measures has been reported widely. Ignoring the precautionary measures may lead to quick transmission of the virus since public transport vehicles generally resemble closed-environments. This study explores people’s intentions to use public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to precautionary measures. For this purpose, a total of 1516 useable responses were collected through a questionnaire survey conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. Regression models were developed to model the intentions to use public transport during the pandemic, to adhere to the precautionary measures while using public transport during the pandemic, and to use public transport while suffering from COVID-19 disease. The results of this study will help in understanding the intentions of the public transport users during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also provide insights for policymakers and public transport operators about further necessary actions to promote safe public transport use during the current and any possible future pandemics. As public transport use declined during the pandemic, policy implications for alternative mobility options such as demand-responsive-transport (DRT) are also presented. Considering the study results, a policy interventions framework is proposed to promote the safe use of various public transport modes, particularly in developing regions.

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Intranasal Infection of Ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 as a Model for Asymptomatic Human Infection

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13010113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

Helen E. Everett ◽

Fabian Z. X. Lean ◽

Alexander M. P. Byrne ◽

Pauline M. van Diemen ◽

Shelley Rhodes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genomic Sequence ◽

Humoral Response ◽

Asymptomatic Infection ◽

Human Infection ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Post Inoculation ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Infection Dynamics ◽

Genomic Sequence Analysis ◽

Upper Respiratory

Ferrets were experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-related coronavirus 2) to assess infection dynamics and host response. During the resulting subclinical infection, viral RNA was monitored between 2 and 21 days post-inoculation (dpi), and reached a peak in the upper respiratory cavity between 4 and 6 dpi. Viral genomic sequence analysis in samples from three animals identified the Y453F nucleotide substitution relative to the inoculum. Viral RNA was also detected in environmental samples, specifically in swabs of ferret fur. Microscopy analysis revealed viral protein and RNA in upper respiratory tract tissues, notably in cells of the respiratory and olfactory mucosae of the nasal turbinates, including olfactory neuronal cells. Antibody responses to the spike and nucleoprotein were detected from 21 dpi, but virus-neutralizing activity was low. A second intranasal inoculation (re-exposure) of two ferrets after a 17-day interval did not produce re-initiation of viral RNA shedding, but did amplify the humoral response in one animal. Therefore, ferrets can be experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 to model human asymptomatic infection.

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Replication and Transmission of the Novel Bovine Influenza D Virus in a Guinea Pig Model

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01630-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 89 (23) ◽

pp. 11990-12001 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Chithra Sreenivasan ◽

Milton Thomas ◽

Zizhang Sheng ◽

Ben M. Hause ◽

Emily A. Collin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Suitable Model ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Primary Host ◽

Transmission Potential ◽

Sentinel Animals

ABSTRACTInfluenza D virus (FLUDV) is a novel influenza virus that infects cattle and swine. The goal of this study was to investigate the replication and transmission of bovine FLUDV in guinea pigs. Following direct intranasal inoculation of animals, the virus was detected in nasal washes of infected animals during the first 7 days postinfection. High viral titers were obtained from nasal turbinates and lung tissues of directly inoculated animals. Further, bovine FLUDV was able to transmit from the infected guinea pigs to sentinel animals by means of contact and not by aerosol dissemination under the experimental conditions tested in this study. Despite exhibiting no clinical signs, infected guinea pigs developed seroconversion and the viral antigen was detected in lungs of animals by immunohistochemistry. The observation that bovine FLUDV replicated in the respiratory tract of guinea pigs was similar to observations described previously in studies of gnotobiotic calves and pigs experimentally infected with bovine FLUDV but different from those described previously in experimental infections in ferrets and swine with a swine FLUDV, which supported virus replication only in the upper respiratory tract and not in the lower respiratory tract, including lung. Our study established that guinea pigs could be used as an animal model for studying this newly emerging influenza virus.IMPORTANCEInfluenza D virus (FLUDV) is a novel emerging pathogen with bovine as its primary host. The epidemiology and pathogenicity of the virus are not yet known. FLUDV also spreads to swine, and the presence of FLUDV-specific antibodies in humans could indicate that there is a potential for zoonosis. Our results showed that bovine FLUDV replicated in the nasal turbinate and lungs of guinea pigs at high titers and was also able to transmit from an infected animal to sentinel animals by contact. The fact that bovine FLUDV replicated productively in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts of guinea pigs, similarly to virus infection in its native host, demonstrates that guinea pigs would be a suitable model host to study the replication and transmission potential of bovine FLUDV.

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No Spread of SARS-CoV-2 From Infected Symptomatic Children to Parents: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Controlled Hospital Setting

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.720084 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Francesco Nunziata ◽

Marco Poeta ◽

Edoardo Vassallo ◽

Grazia Isabella Continisio ◽

Andrea Lo Vecchio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prolonged Exposure ◽

Index Case ◽

Close Contact ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Transmission Rates ◽

Hospitalization Period ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Mean

Introduction: The transmission rates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from children to adults are unclear due to a lack of controlled conditions.Materials and Methods: We investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among 12 discordant child-parent pairs in our ward. In each hospital isolation room, caregivers and children lived in close contact during the entire hospitalization period.Results: A total of 136 swab-positive children (mean age, 3.6 ± 4.9 median age, 1; IQR 0–6.2, range 0.1–17) attended by their caregivers were hospitalized. Of those, 12/136 (8.8%, mean age, 6.1 ± 5.3 median age, 4.5) were attended by caregivers who were swab and serology negative at admission despite previous close contact with positive children at home. Three children were completely dependent on their mothers, one of whom was being breastfed. The mean duration of overall exposure to the index case was 20.5 ± 8.2 days.Conclusion: None of the infected children transmitted SARS-CoV-2 infection to their caregivers, raising the hypothesis of a cluster of resistant mothers or of limited transmission from children to adults despite prolonged exposure and close contact. These data might provide reassurance regarding school openings and offer the chance of investigating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the future under the same quasi-experimental conditions.

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

10.1101/2021.06.09.447754 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chrissy Eckstrand ◽

Tom Baldwin ◽

Mia Kim Torchetti ◽

Mary Lea Killian ◽

Kerry A Rood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Viral Transmission ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Tracheobronchial Lymph Node ◽

Multiple Organs ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Polymerase Chain

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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Diseases Due to Chlamydiaceae

10.2310/im.1136 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Walter E Stamm

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Close Contact ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Perinatal Transmission ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Obligate Intracellular Bacteria

The Chlamydiaceae are obligate intracellular bacteria that produce a wide variety of infections in many mammalian and avian species. Three species belonging to two genera of Chlamydiaceae infect humans: Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. C. trachomatis is exclusively a human pathogen and is transmitted from person to person via sexual contact, perinatal transmission, or close contact in households. C. psittaci, in contrast, is more widely distributed in nature, producing genital, conjunctival, intestinal, or respiratory infections in many avian and mammalian species. C. pneumoniae is a fastidious organism that produces upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonitis in both children and adults. This chapter details the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of chlamydial diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases, perinatal infections, adult inclusion conjunctivitis, trachoma, and psittacosis are covered. The chapter also includes tables outlining comparative features of the three species and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases caused by C. trachomatis, as well as a figure illustrating the life cycle of Chlamydiaceae. This review contains 1 highly rendered figure, 2 tables, and 87 references.

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Potential of ICT in India to Cater Pandemics in Healthcare Sector with Special Reference to Covid-19

Asian Journal of Computer Science and Technology ◽

10.51983/ajcst-2020.9.2.2173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

Zafar Majeed Rather ◽

Magray Ajaz Ahmad

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Close Contact ◽

Personal Data ◽

The Body ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Healthcare Sector ◽

Infected People ◽

Personal Data Protection ◽

Corona Virus

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, and has since spread globally, resulting in the ongoing 2019–20 corona virus pandemic. As of 9 June 2020, more than 7.12 million cases have been reported across 187 countries and territories, resulting in more than 406,000 deaths. More than 3.29 million people have recovered. The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, often via small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking. The disease has been given official name as COVID-19[1]. Since its outbreak in china, infrared thermometers were used to check the body temperature in order to identify the infected people. Countries like China and Korea started the use of different technologies to detect, track and prevent the spread of this deadly virus. Among the major technologies used are Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning. With the invent of 5G technologies, we are able to transfer and process huge amounts of data on a real time basis. Health experts have argued that a key tool at governments’ disposal to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and which was not around during the 1918 Spanish Flu, is the ability to harness digital technologies to track the spread. At the same time, deployment of contact tracing apps by governments or public health authorities has added to the debate on online privacy and personal data protection. In this research paper, we discuss the potential application of different information and communication technologies (ICT) like IoT, AI and 5G that can help in (i) Monitoring (ii) surveillance (iii) detection and prevention of COVID-19 and enhancing the healthcare to make it future-ready for any such diseases like COVID-19.

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FEATURES OF RESIDUAL PHENOMENA AND CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 (REVIEW)

Vestnik ◽

10.53065/kaznmu.2021.67.71.064 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 335-340

Author(s):

Г.Н. Абуова ◽

Г.А. Айтмуратова ◽

Т.В. Полукчи ◽

Ф.А. Бердалиева ◽

Г.Г. Шаймерденова

Keyword(s):

Asymptomatic Infection ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Disease ◽

Infected People ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Disease ◽

Timely Treatment

Проведен литературный обзор об особенностях остаточных явлений и последствий COVID-19 на основе данных, опубликованных до настоящего времени. К началу января 2021 года COVID-19, сопровождающийся тяжелым острым респираторным синдромом, вызванным коронавирусом (SARS-CoV-2), привел к более чем 83 миллионам подтвержденных случаев и более чем 1,8 миллионам смертей. Клинический спектр инфекции SARS-CoV-2 широк, включая бессимптомную инфекцию, лихорадку, усталость, миалгии, легкое заболевание верхних дыхательных путей, тяжелую и опасную для жизни вирусную пневмонию, требующую госпитализации и летальный исход. COVID-19 - это новое заболевание, и остается неопределенность в отношении возможных долгосрочных последствий для здоровья. На сегодняшний день известно, что у большинства инфицированных, особенно в молодом возрасте, заболевание имеет легкое течение, по сравнению с лицами старшего возраста. У некоторых пациентов заболевание быстро прогрессирует и развиваются различные осложнения, в т.ч. полиорганная недостаточность. Поэтому раннее выявление и своевременное лечение критических случаев имеет решающее значение. A literature review on the features of residual phenomena and consequences of COVID-19 is analyzed on the basis of data published so far. By the beginning of January 2021, COVID-19, accompanied by severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), led to more than 83 million confirmed cases and more than 1.8 million deaths. The clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection is wide, including asymptomatic infection, fever, fatigue, myalgia, mild upper respiratory tract disease, severe and life-threatening viral pneumonia requiring hospitalization, and death. COVID-19 is a new disease, and uncertainty remains about possible long-term health consequences. To date, it is known that the majority of infected people, especially at a young age, have a mild course of the disease, compared with older people. In some patients, the disease progresses rapidly and various complications develop, including multiple organ failure. Therefore, early detection and timely treatment of critical cases is crucial.

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Lack of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Transmission in Rabbits

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11040381 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 381 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

W. Widagdo ◽

Nisreen M. A. Okba ◽

Mathilde Richard ◽

Dennis de Meulder ◽

Theo M. Bestebroer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Animal Species ◽

Infectious Virus ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Viral Rna ◽

Nasal Discharge ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Transmission Potential ◽

Livestock Animal

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) transmission from dromedaries to humans has resulted in major outbreaks in the Middle East. Although some other livestock animal species have been shown to be susceptible to MERS-CoV, it is not fully understood why the spread of the virus in these animal species has not been observed in the field. In this study, we used rabbits to further characterize the transmission potential of MERS-CoV. In line with the presence of MERS-CoV receptor in the rabbit nasal epithelium, high levels of viral RNA were shed from the nose following virus inoculation. However, unlike MERS-CoV-infected dromedaries, these rabbits did not develop clinical manifestations including nasal discharge and did shed only limited amounts of infectious virus from the nose. Consistently, no transmission by contact or airborne routes was observed in rabbits. Our data indicate that despite relatively high viral RNA levels produced, low levels of infectious virus are excreted in the upper respiratory tract of rabbits as compared to dromedary camels, thus resulting in a lack of viral transmission.

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