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Leopardi S, Desiato R, Mazzucato M, Orusa R, Obber F, Averaimo D, Berjaoui S, Canziani S, Capucchio MT, Conti R, di Bella S, Festa F, Garofalo L, Lelli D, Madrau MP, Mandola ML, Moreno Martin AM, Peletto S, Pirani S, Robetto S, Torresi C, Varotto M, Citterio C, Terregino C. One health surveillance strategy for coronaviruses in Italian wildlife. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e96. [PMID: 37263583 PMCID: PMC10282179 DOI: 10.1017/s095026882300081x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent reinforcement of CoV surveillance in animals fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic provided increasing evidence that mammals other than bats might hide further diversity and play critical roles in human infectious diseases. This work describes the results of a two-year survey carried out in Italy with the double objective of uncovering CoV diversity associated with wildlife and of excluding the establishment of a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 in particularly susceptible or exposed species. The survey targeted hosts from five different orders and was harmonised across the country in terms of sample size, target tissues, and molecular test. Results showed the circulation of 8 CoV species in 13 hosts out of the 42 screened. Coronaviruses were either typical of the host species/genus or normally associated with their domestic counterpart. Two novel viruses likely belonging to a novel CoV genus were found in mustelids. All samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2, with minimum detectable prevalence ranging between 0.49% and 4.78% in the 13 species reaching our threshold sample size of 59 individuals. Considering that within-species transmission in white-tailed deer resulted in raising the prevalence from 5% to 81% within a few months, this result would exclude a sustained cycle after spillback in the tested species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Leopardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Rosanna Desiato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Quart, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzucato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Quart, Italy
- National Reference Center Wildlife Diseases, Aosta Valley, Quart, Italy
| | - Federica Obber
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Daniela Averaimo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Sabrina Canziani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Capucchio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Centro Animali Non Convenzionali (C.A.N.C), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Raffaella Conti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, Roma, Italy
| | - Santina di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Festa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Luisa Garofalo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, Roma, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
- Molecular Medicine PhD Program, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Maria Lucia Mandola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Quart, Italy
| | | | - Simone Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Quart, Italy
| | - Silvia Pirani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Umbria e Marche, Perugia, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Quart, Italy
| | - Claudia Torresi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Umbria e Marche, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Varotto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Carlo Citterio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
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Zamperin G, Festa F, Palumbo E, Quaranta E, Monne I, Terregino C, De Benedictis P, Leopardi S. Discovery of a coronavirus in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) belonging to a putative new genus. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 109:105406. [PMID: 36764634 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
In the aftermath of COVID-19, coronaviruses gained renewed attention by the scientific community. The study reports the identification and genetic characterization of a novel coronavirus in the European badger (Meles meles) obtained in the framework of passive surveillance implemented in Italian wildlife in response to the pandemic. Positive samples were characterized using next generation sequencing as well as genetic and phylogenetic analyses, aiming for taxonomic placement under ICTV guidelines of the viruses contained in each sample. Results obtained for six conserved domains within the polyprotein showed that the virus clustered as outgroup and shared <46% amino acid identity with other coronaviruses, supporting the assumption that it belongs to a new putative genus Epsiloncoronavirus. This finding highlights that mammals still hide diverse coronaviruses whose zoonotic and epizootic potential remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianpiero Zamperin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| | - Francesca Festa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Elisa Palumbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Erika Quaranta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Isabella Monne
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Paola De Benedictis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Stefania Leopardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, 70121 Valenzano, Italy.
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3
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Carpenter KC, Yang J, Xu JJ. Animal Models for the Study of Neurologic Manifestations Of COVID-19. Comp Med 2023; 73:91-103. [PMID: 36744556 PMCID: PMC9948905 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has infected an estimated 525 million people with over 6 million deaths. Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, an escalating number of neurologic symptoms have been reported in humans. Some neurologic symptoms, such as loss of smell or taste, are mild. However, other symptoms, such as meningoencephalitis or stroke, are potentially fatal. Along with surveys and postmortem evaluations on humans, scientists worked with several animal species to try to elucidate the causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic sequelae remain challenging to study due to the complexity of the nervous system and difficulties in identification and quantification of neurologic signs. We reviewed animal models used in the study of neurologic COVID-19, specifically research in mice, hamsters, ferrets, and nonhuman primates. We summarized findings on the presence and pathologic effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system. Given the need to increase understanding of COVID-19 and its effects on the nervous system, scientists must strive to obtain new information from animals to reduce mortality and morbidity with neurologic complications in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C Carpenter
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan;,
| | - Jibing Yang
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiajie J Xu
- Division of Animal Resources, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
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4
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Tissue distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in wild animals with a focus on artiodactyls, mustelids and phocids. One Health 2023; 16:100492. [PMID: 36710856 PMCID: PMC9873367 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural cases of zooanthroponotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to animals have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, including to free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in North America and farmed American mink (Neovison vison) on multiple continents. To understand the potential for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-mediated viral tropism we characterised the distribution of ACE2 receptors in the respiratory and intestinal tissues of a selection of wild and semi-domesticated mammals including artiodactyls (cervids, bovids, camelids, suids and hippopotamus), mustelid and phocid species using immunohistochemistry. Expression of the ACE2 receptor was detected in the bronchial or bronchiolar epithelium of several European and Asiatic deer species, Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), European badger (Meles meles), stoat (Mustela erminea), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). Further receptor mapping in the nasal turbinates and trachea revealed sparse ACE2 receptor expression in the mucosal epithelial cells and occasional occurrence in the submucosal glandular epithelium of Western roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), moose (Alces alces alces), and alpaca (Vicunga pacos). Only the European badger and stoat expressed high levels of ACE2 receptor in the nasal mucosal epithelium, which could suggest high susceptibility to ACE2-mediated respiratory infection. Expression of ACE2 receptor in the intestinal cells was ubiquitous across multiple taxa examined. Our results demonstrate the potential for ACE2-mediated viral infection in a selection of wild mammals and highlight the intra-taxon variability of ACE2 receptor expression, which might influence host susceptibility and infection.
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Belser JA, Sun X, Kieran TJ, Brock N, Pulit-Penaloza JA, Pappas C, Basu Thakur P, Jones J, Wentworth DE, Zhou B, Tumpey TM, Maines TR. Detection of Airborne Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 Virus Shedding following Ocular Inoculation of Ferrets. J Virol 2022; 96:e0140322. [PMID: 36448801 PMCID: PMC9769371 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01403-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite reports of confirmed human infection following ocular exposure with both influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2, the dynamics of virus spread throughout oculonasal tissues and the relative capacity of virus transmission following ocular inoculation remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the impact of exposure route on subsequent release of airborne viral particles into the air has not been examined previously. To assess this, ferrets were inoculated by the ocular route with A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H7N9) IAVs and two SARS-CoV-2 (early pandemic Washington/1 and Delta variant) viruses. Virus replication was assessed in both respiratory and ocular specimens, and transmission was evaluated in direct contact or respiratory droplet settings. Viral RNA in aerosols shed by inoculated ferrets was quantified with a two-stage cyclone aerosol sampler (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]). All IAV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses mounted a productive and transmissible infection in ferrets following ocular inoculation, with peak viral titers and release of virus-laden aerosols from ferrets indistinguishable from those from ferrets inoculated by previously characterized intranasal inoculation methods. Viral RNA was detected in ferret conjunctival washes from all viruses examined, though infectious virus in this specimen was recovered only following IAV inoculation. Low-dose ocular-only aerosol exposure or inhalation aerosol exposure of ferrets to IAV similarly led to productive infection of ferrets and shedding of aerosolized virus. Viral evolution during infection was comparable between all inoculation routes examined. These data support that both IAV and SARS-CoV-2 can establish a high-titer mammalian infection following ocular exposure that is associated with rapid detection of virus-laden aerosols shed by inoculated animals. IMPORTANCE Documented human infection with influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 has been reported among individuals wearing respiratory protection in the absence of eye protection, highlighting the capacity of these respiratory tract-tropic viruses to exploit nonrespiratory routes of exposure to initiate productive infection. However, comprehensive evaluations of how ocular exposure may modulate virus pathogenicity and transmissibility in mammals relative to respiratory exposure are limited and have not investigated multiple virus families side by side. Using the ferret model, we show that ocular exposure with multiple strains of either coronaviruses or influenza A viruses leads to an infection that results in shedding of detectable aerosolized virus from inoculated animals, contributing toward onward transmission of both viruses to susceptible contacts. Collectively, these studies support that the ocular surface represents a susceptible mucosal surface that, if exposed to a sufficient quantity of either virus, permits establishment of an infection which is similarly transmissible as that following respiratory exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Belser
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiangjie Sun
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Troy J. Kieran
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicole Brock
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Claudia Pappas
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Poulami Basu Thakur
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joyce Jones
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David E. Wentworth
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Terrence M. Tumpey
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Taronna R. Maines
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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6
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Le Bideau M, Pires de Souza GA, Boschi C, Baudoin JP, Penant G, Jardot P, Fenollar F, Colson P, Lenk M, La Scola B. Limited permissibility of ENL-R and Mv-1-Lu mink cell lines to SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003824. [PMID: 36312916 PMCID: PMC9597503 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic started in the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China, which highlighted the scenario of frequent cross-species transmission events. From the outbreak possibly initiated by viral spill-over into humans from an animal reservoir, now we face the human host moving globally while interacting with domesticated and peridomestic animals. The emergence of a new virus into the ecosystem leads to selecting forces and species-specific adaptations. The adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 to other animals represents a risk to controlling the dissemination of this coronavirus and the emergence of new variants. Since 2020, several mink farms in Europe and the United States have had SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks with human-mink and mink-human transmission, where the mink-selected variants possibly hold evolutionary concerning advantages. Here we investigated the permissibility of mink lung-derived cells using two cell lines, Mv-1-Lu and ENL-R, against several lineages of SARS-CoV-2, including some classified as variants of concern. The viral release rate and the infectious titers indicate that these cells support infections by different SARS-CoV-2 lineages. The viral production occurs in the first few days after infection with the low viral release by these mink cells, which is often absent for the omicron variant for lung cells. The electron microscopy reveals that during the viral replication cycle, the endomembrane system of the mink-host cell undergoes typical changes while the viral particles are produced, especially in the first days of infection. Therefore, even if limited, mink lung cells may represent a selecting source for SARS-CoV-2 variants, impacting their transmissibility and pathogenicity and making it difficult to control this new coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Le Bideau
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Gabriel Augusto Pires de Souza
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Celine Boschi
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Baudoin
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Gwilherm Penant
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Priscilla Jardot
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Vecteurs – Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Matthias Lenk
- Collection of Cell Lines in Veterinary Medicine (CCLV), Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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7
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Ciurkiewicz M, Armando F, Schreiner T, de Buhr N, Pilchová V, Krupp-Buzimikic V, Gabriel G, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Baumgärtner W, Schulz C, Gerhauser I. Ferrets are valuable models for SARS-CoV-2 research. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:661-672. [PMID: 35001763 PMCID: PMC9207987 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211071012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in an ongoing pandemic with millions of deaths worldwide. Infection of humans can be asymptomatic or result in fever, fatigue, dry cough, dyspnea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome with multiorgan failure in severe cases. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, and various models employing different species are currently applied. Ferrets can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and efficiently transmit the virus to contact animals. In contrast to hamsters, ferrets usually show mild disease and viral replication restricted to the upper airways. Most reports have used the intranasal inoculation route, while the intratracheal infection model is not well characterized. Herein, we present clinical, virological, and pathological data from young ferrets intratracheally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. Infected animals showed no significant clinical signs, and had transient infection with peak viral RNA loads at 4 days postinfection, mild to moderate rhinitis, and pulmonary endothelialitis/vasculitis. Viral antigen was exclusively found in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity, indicating a particular tropism for cells in this location. Viral antigen was associated with epithelial damage and influx of inflammatory cells, including activated neutrophils releasing neutrophil extracellular traps. Scanning electron microscopy of the nasal respiratory mucosa revealed loss of cilia, shedding, and rupture of epithelial cells. The currently established ferret SARS-CoV-2 infection models are comparatively discussed with SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in mink, and the advantages and disadvantages of both species as research models for zoonotic betacoronaviruses are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Armando
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiner
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole de Buhr
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Veronika Pilchová
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Krupp-Buzimikic
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gülşah Gabriel
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Claudia Schulz
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingo Gerhauser
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Francisco R, Hernandez SM, Mead DG, Adcock KG, Burke SC, Nemeth NM, Yabsley MJ. Experimental Susceptibility of North American Raccoons ( Procyon lotor) and Striped Skunks ( Mephitis mephitis) to SARS-CoV-2. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:715307. [PMID: 35097038 PMCID: PMC8790025 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.715307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent spillback events of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals has raised concerns about it becoming endemic in wildlife. A sylvatic cycle of SARS-CoV-2 could present multiple opportunities for repeated spillback into human populations and other susceptible wildlife. Based on their taxonomy and natural history, two native North American wildlife species -the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) -represent a high likelihood of susceptibility and ecological opportunity of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. Eight skunks and raccoons were each intranasally inoculated with one of two doses of the virus (103 PFU and 105 PFU) and housed in pairs. To evaluate direct transmission, a naïve animal was added to each inoculated pair 48 h post-inoculation. Four control animals of each species were handled like the experimental groups. At predetermined intervals, we collected nasal and rectal swabs to quantify virus shed via virus isolation and detect viral RNA via rRT-PCR and blood for serum neutralization. Lastly, animals were euthanized at staggered intervals to describe disease progression through histopathology and immunohistochemistry. No animals developed clinical disease. All intranasally inoculated animals seroconverted, suggesting both species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest titers in skunks and raccoons were 1:128 and 1:64, respectively. Low quantities of virus were isolated from 2/8 inoculated skunks for up to day 5 post-inoculation, however no virus was isolated from inoculated raccoons or direct contacts of either species. Neither species had gross lesions, but recovering mild chronic pneumonia consistent with viral insult was recorded histologically in 5/8 inoculated skunks. Unlike another SARS-CoV-2 infection trial in these species, we detected neutralizing antibodies in inoculated raccoons; thus, future wildlife serologic surveillance results must be interpreted with caution. Due to the inability to isolate virus from raccoons, the lack of evidence of direct transmission between both species, and low amount of virus shed by skunks, it seems unlikely for SARS-CoV-2 to become established in raccoon and skunk populations and for virus to spillback into humans. Continued outbreaks in non-domestic species, wild and captive, highlight that additional research on the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife, especially musteloidea, and of conservation concern, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Francisco
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Daniel G. Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kayla G. Adcock
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Sydney C. Burke
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Nicole M. Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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9
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Díaz AV, Walker M, Webster JP. Surveillance and control of SARS-CoV-2 in mustelids: An evolutionary perspective. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2715-2725. [PMID: 34899977 PMCID: PMC8652926 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The relevance of mustelids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission has become increasingly evident. Alongside experimental demonstration of airborne transmission among ferrets, the major animal model for human respiratory diseases, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within- and/or between-commercial mink farms has occurred and continues to occur. The number of mink reared for the luxury fur trade is approximately 60.5 million, across 36 mustelid-farming countries. By July 2021, SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have been reported in 12 of these countries, at 412 European and 20 North American mink farms. Reverse zoonotic transmission events (from humans to mink) have introduced the virus to farms with subsequent extensive mink-to-mink transmission as well as further zoonotic (mink-to-human) transmission events generating cases among both farm workers and the broader community. Overcrowded housing conditions inherent within intensive mink farms, often combined with poor sanitation and welfare, both guarantee spread of SARS-CoV-2 and facilitate opportunities for viral variants, thereby effectively representing biotic hubs for viral transmission and evolution of virulence. Adequate preventative, surveillance and control measures within the mink industry are imperative both for the control of the current global pandemic and to mitigate against future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana V Díaz
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences Royal Veterinary College University of London Herts UK
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences Royal Veterinary College University of London Herts UK
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences Royal Veterinary College University of London Herts UK
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10
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Ip HS, Griffin KM, Messer JD, Winzeler ME, Shriner SA, Killian ML, K. Torchetti M, DeLiberto TJ, Amman BR, Cossaboom CM, Harvey RR, Wendling NM, Rettler H, Taylor D, Towner JS, Barton Behravesh C, Blehert DS. An Opportunistic Survey Reveals an Unexpected Coronavirus Diversity Hotspot in North America. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102016. [PMID: 34696445 PMCID: PMC8539472 DOI: 10.3390/v13102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In summer 2020, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected on mink farms in Utah. An interagency One Health response was initiated to assess the extent of the outbreak and included sampling animals from on or near affected mink farms and testing them for SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS coronaviruses. Among the 365 animals sampled, including domestic cats, mink, rodents, raccoons, and skunks, 261 (72%) of the animals harbored at least one coronavirus. Among the samples that could be further characterized, 127 alphacoronaviruses and 88 betacoronaviruses (including 74 detections of SARS-CoV-2 in mink) were identified. Moreover, at least 10% (n = 27) of the coronavirus-positive animals were found to be co-infected with more than one coronavirus. Our findings indicate an unexpectedly high prevalence of coronavirus among the domestic and wild free-roaming animals tested on mink farms. These results raise the possibility that mink farms could be potential hot spots for future trans-species viral spillover and the emergence of new pandemic coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hon S. Ip
- United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Laboratory Services Branch. Madison, WI 53711, USA; (K.M.G.); (J.D.M.); (M.E.W.); (D.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-608-270-2464
| | - Kathryn M. Griffin
- United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Laboratory Services Branch. Madison, WI 53711, USA; (K.M.G.); (J.D.M.); (M.E.W.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Jeffrey D. Messer
- United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Laboratory Services Branch. Madison, WI 53711, USA; (K.M.G.); (J.D.M.); (M.E.W.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Megan E. Winzeler
- United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Laboratory Services Branch. Madison, WI 53711, USA; (K.M.G.); (J.D.M.); (M.E.W.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Susan A. Shriner
- Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; (S.A.S.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Mary Lea Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.L.K.); (M.K.T.)
| | - Mia K. Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.L.K.); (M.K.T.)
| | - Thomas J. DeLiberto
- Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; (S.A.S.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Brian R. Amman
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Caitlin M. Cossaboom
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - R. Reid Harvey
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Natalie M. Wendling
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Hannah Rettler
- Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, USA;
| | - Dean Taylor
- Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA;
| | - Jonathan S. Towner
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Casey Barton Behravesh
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (B.R.A.); (C.M.C.); (R.R.H.); (N.M.W.); (J.S.T.); (C.B.B.)
| | - David S. Blehert
- United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Laboratory Services Branch. Madison, WI 53711, USA; (K.M.G.); (J.D.M.); (M.E.W.); (D.S.B.)
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11
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El-Sayed A, Abdel-Daim MM, Kamel M. Zoonotic and anthropozoonotic potential of COVID-19 and its implications for public health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:52599-52609. [PMID: 34523089 PMCID: PMC8439532 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amr El-Sayed
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Kamel
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
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12
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Dhar C, Sasmal A, Diaz S, Verhagen A, Yu H, Li W, Chen X, Varki A. Are sialic acids involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis? Glycobiology 2021; 31:1068-1071. [PMID: 34192318 PMCID: PMC8344891 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Dhar
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA.,Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Aniruddha Sasmal
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA.,Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sandra Diaz
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA.,Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Andrea Verhagen
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA.,Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Hai Yu
- Department of Chemistry, UC Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Wanqing Li
- Department of Chemistry, UC Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, UC Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Ajit Varki
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA.,Glycobiology Research and Training Center (GRTC), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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13
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Stout AE, André NM, Jaimes JA, Licitra BN, Whittaker GR. One Medicine: a comparative approach to investigating human and animal coronavirus infections. J Feline Med Surg 2021; 23:267-268. [PMID: 33761776 PMCID: PMC10812218 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x21998904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Stout
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nicole M André
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Javier A Jaimes
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Beth N Licitra
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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