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Rudar J, Kruczkiewicz P, Vernygora O, Golding GB, Hajibabaei M, Lung O. Sequence signatures within the genome of SARS-CoV-2 can be used to predict host source. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0358423. [PMID: 38436242 PMCID: PMC10986507 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03584-23] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We conducted an in silico analysis to better understand the potential factors impacting host adaptation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in white-tailed deer, humans, and mink due to the strong evidence of sustained transmission within these hosts. Classification models trained on single nucleotide and amino acid differences between samples effectively identified white-tailed deer-, human-, and mink-derived SARS-CoV-2. For example, the balanced accuracy score of Extremely Randomized Trees classifiers was 0.984 ± 0.006. Eighty-eight commonly identified predictive mutations are found at sites under strong positive and negative selective pressure. A large fraction of sites under selection (86.9%) or identified by machine learning (87.1%) are found in genes other than the spike. Some locations encoded by these gene regions are predicted to be B- and T-cell epitopes or are implicated in modulating the immune response suggesting that host adaptation may involve the evasion of the host immune system, modulation of the class-I major-histocompatibility complex, and the diminished recognition of immune epitopes by CD8+ T cells. Our selection and machine learning analysis also identified that silent mutations, such as C7303T and C9430T, play an important role in discriminating deer-derived samples across multiple clades. Finally, our investigation into the origin of the B.1.641 lineage from white-tailed deer in Canada discovered an additional human sequence from Michigan related to the B.1.641 lineage sampled near the emergence of this lineage. These findings demonstrate that machine-learning approaches can be used in combination with evolutionary genomics to identify factors possibly involved in the cross-species transmission of viruses and the emergence of novel viral lineages.IMPORTANCESevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible virus capable of infecting and establishing itself in human and wildlife populations, such as white-tailed deer. This fact highlights the importance of developing novel ways to identify genetic factors that contribute to its spread and adaptation to new host species. This is especially important since these populations can serve as reservoirs that potentially facilitate the re-introduction of new variants into human populations. In this study, we apply machine learning and phylogenetic methods to uncover biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 adaptation in mink and white-tailed deer. We find evidence demonstrating that both non-synonymous and silent mutations can be used to differentiate animal-derived sequences from human-derived ones and each other. This evidence also suggests that host adaptation involves the evasion of the immune system and the suppression of antigen presentation. Finally, the methods developed here are general and can be used to investigate host adaptation in viruses other than SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josip Rudar
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology & Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Kruczkiewicz
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Oksana Vernygora
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - G. Brian Golding
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mehrdad Hajibabaei
- Department of Integrative Biology & Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oliver Lung
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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2
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Hu B, Guo H, Si H, Shi Z. Emergence of SARS and COVID-19 and preparedness for the next emerging disease X. Front Med 2024; 18:1-18. [PMID: 38561562 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-024-1066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are two human Coronavirus diseases emerging in this century, posing tremendous threats to public health and causing great loss to lives and economy. In this review, we retrospect the studies tracing the molecular evolution of SARS-CoV, and we sort out current research findings about the potential ancestor of SARS-CoV-2. Updated knowledge about SARS-CoV-2-like viruses found in wildlife, the animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the interspecies transmission risk of SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) are gathered here. Finally, we discuss the strategies of how to be prepared against future outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hua Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Haorui Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengli Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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3
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Zachariah A, Krishnankutty SP, Manazhi J, Omanakuttan V, Santosh S, Blanchard A, Tarlinton R. Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife from Kerala, India in 2020-21. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000686.v3. [PMID: 38361659 PMCID: PMC10866034 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000686.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Spillover of SARS-CoV-2 into a variety of wild and domestic animals has been an ongoing feature of the human pandemic. The establishment of a new reservoir in white-tailed deer in North America and increasing divergence of the viruses circulating in them from those circulating in the human population has highlighted the ongoing risk this poses for global health. Some parts of the world have seen more intensive monitoring of wildlife species for SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses but there are still very large gaps in geographical and species-specific information. This paper reports negative results for SARS-CoV-2 PCR based testing using a pan coronavirus end point RDRP PCR and a Sarbecovirus specific E gene qPCR on lung and or gut tissue from wildlife from the Indian State of Kerala. These animals included: 121 Rhinolophus rouxii (Rufous Horsehoe Bat), six Rhinolophus bedommei (Lesser Woolly Horseshoe Bat), 15 Rossettus leschenaultii (Fulvous Fruit Bat), 47 Macaca radiata (Bonnet macaques), 35 Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Common Palm Civet), five Viverricula indica (Small Indian Civet), four Herpestes edwardsii (Common Mongoose), ten Panthera tigris (Bengal Tiger), eight Panthera pardus fusca (Indian Leopard), four Prionailurus bengalensis (Leopard cats), two Felis chaus (Jungle cats), two Cuon alpinus (Wild dogs) and one Melursus ursinus (sloth bear).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Adam Blanchard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Rachael Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
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4
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Ghai RR, Straily A, Wineland N, Calogero J, Stobierski MG, Signs K, Blievernicht M, Torres-Mendoza Y, Waltenburg MA, Condrey JA, Blankenship HM, Riner D, Barr N, Schalow M, Goodrich J, Collins C, Ahmad A, Metz JM, Herzegh O, Straka K, Arsnoe DM, Duffiney AG, Shriner SA, Kainulainen MH, Carpenter A, Whitehill F, Wendling NM, Stoddard RA, Retchless AC, Uehara A, Tao Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Tong S, Barton Behravesh C. Epidemiologic and Genomic Evidence for Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among People and Animals on a Michigan Mink Farm, United States, 2020. Viruses 2023; 15:2436. [PMID: 38140677 PMCID: PMC10747742 DOI: 10.3390/v15122436] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Farmed mink are one of few animals in which infection with SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in sustained transmission among a population and spillback from mink to people. In September 2020, mink on a Michigan farm exhibited increased morbidity and mortality rates due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted an epidemiologic investigation to identify the source of initial mink exposure, assess the degree of spread within the facility's overall mink population, and evaluate the risk of further viral spread on the farm and in surrounding wildlife habitats. Three farm employees reported symptoms consistent with COVID-19 the same day that increased mortality rates were observed among the mink herd. One of these individuals, and another asymptomatic employee, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) 9 days later. All but one mink sampled on the farm were positive for SARS-CoV-2 based on nucleic acid detection from at least one oral, nasal, or rectal swab tested by RT-qPCR (99%). Sequence analysis showed high degrees of similarity between sequences from mink and the two positive farm employees. Epidemiologic and genomic data, including the presence of F486L and N501T mutations believed to arise through mink adaptation, support the hypothesis that the two employees with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection contracted COVID-19 from mink. However, the specific source of virus introduction onto the farm was not identified. Three companion animals living with mink farm employees and 31 wild animals of six species sampled in the surrounding area were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Results from this investigation support the necessity of a One Health approach to manage the zoonotic spread of SARS-CoV-2 and underscores the critical need for multifaceted public health approaches to prevent the introduction and spread of respiratory viruses on mink farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria R. Ghai
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Anne Straily
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Nora Wineland
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Jennifer Calogero
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Signs
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Melissa Blievernicht
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | | | | | - Jillian A. Condrey
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | | | - Diana Riner
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Nancy Barr
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Michele Schalow
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Jarold Goodrich
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Cheryl Collins
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Ausaf Ahmad
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - John Michael Metz
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Owen Herzegh
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Kelly Straka
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Dustin M. Arsnoe
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | - Anthony G. Duffiney
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | - Susan A. Shriner
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | | | - Ann Carpenter
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Florence Whitehill
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Natalie M. Wendling
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Robyn A. Stoddard
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Adam C. Retchless
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Anna Uehara
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Ying Tao
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Yan Li
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Jing Zhang
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Suxiang Tong
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
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5
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Saturday T, van Doremalen N. Pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in nonhuman primates. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 63:101375. [PMID: 37826865 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The continued pressure of COVID-19 on public health worldwide underlines the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Though many animal models are readily available for use, the nonhuman primate (NHP) models are considered the gold standard in recapitulating disease progression in humans. In this review, we highlight the relevant research since the beginning of the pandemic to critically evaluate the importance of this model. We characterize the disease's clinical manifestations, aspects of viral replication and shedding, induction of the host's immune response, and pathological findings that broaden our understanding of the importance of NHPs in research to strengthen our public health approach to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Saturday
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Neeltje van Doremalen
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
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Mena J, Hidalgo C, Estay-Olea D, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Bacigalupo A, Rubio AV, Peñaloza D, Sánchez C, Gómez-Adaros J, Olmos V, Cabello J, Ivelic K, Abarca MJ, Ramírez-Álvarez D, Torregrosa Rocabado M, Durán Castro N, Carreño M, Gómez G, Cattan PE, Ramírez-Toloza G, Robbiano S, Marchese C, Raffo E, Stowhas P, Medina-Vogel G, Landaeta-Aqueveque C, Ortega R, Waleckx E, Gónzalez-Acuña D, Rojo G. Molecular surveillance of potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir hosts in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Vet Q 2023; 43:1-10. [PMID: 36594266 PMCID: PMC9858396 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2164909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has become the most devastating zoonotic event in recent times, with negative impacts on both human and animal welfare as well as on the global economy. Although SARS-CoV-2 is considered a human virus, it likely emerged from animals, and it can infect both domestic and wild animals. This constitutes a risk for human and animal health including wildlife with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 horizontal transmission back and forth between humans and wild animals. AIM Molecular surveillance in different wildlife rehabilitation centers and wildlife associated institutions in Chile, which are critical points of animal-human interaction and wildlife conservation, especially since the aim of wildlife rehabilitation centers is to reintroduce animals to their original habitat. MATERIALS AND METHODS The survey was conducted in six WRCs and three wildlife associated institutions. A total of 185 samples were obtained from 83 individuals belonging to 15 different species, including vulnerable and endangered species. Each specimen was sampled with two different swabs: one oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal according to the nostril diameter, and/or a second rectal sample. RNA was extracted from the samples and two different molecular assays were performed: first, a conventional RT-PCR with pan-coronavirus primers and a second SARS-CoV-2 qPCR targeting the N and S genes. RESULTS All 185 samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study constitutes the first report on the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 from wildlife treated in rehabilitation centers in Chile, and supports the biosafety procedures adopted in those centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mena
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Christian Hidalgo
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (NIAVA), Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - Daniela Estay-Olea
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Nicole Sallaberry-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre (UFAS), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - André V. Rubio
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Peñaloza
- Departamento de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Región del Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Carolina Sánchez
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre (UFAS), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Valeria Olmos
- Centro de Rehabilitación y Exhibición de Fauna Silvestre, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Javier Cabello
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Ancud, Chile
| | - Kendra Ivelic
- Refugio Animal Cascada, Centro de Rehabilitación y Exhibición de fauna nativa de la Fundación Acción Fauna, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Abarca
- Comité Nacional Pro Defensa de la Fauna y Flora (CODEFF), Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Ramírez-Álvarez
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Marisol Torregrosa Rocabado
- Médico Veterinaria Encargada Sección Salud Animal, Zoológico Nacional del Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Durán Castro
- Médico Veterinaria Sección Salud Animal, Zoológico Nacional del Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gabriela Gómez
- Departamento de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Región de Aysén, Chile
| | - Pedro E. Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sofía Robbiano
- Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Carla Marchese
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Eduardo Raffo
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Paulina Stowhas
- Programa Nacional Integrado de Gestión de Especies Exóticas Invasoras, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque
- Departamento Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - René Ortega
- Departamento Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Daniel Gónzalez-Acuña
- Departamento Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Gemma Rojo
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile,CONTACT Gemma Rojo Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
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7
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Fernández-Bastit L, Vergara-Alert J, Segalés J. Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from humans to animals: is there a risk of novel reservoirs? Curr Opin Virol 2023; 63:101365. [PMID: 37793299 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a zoonotic virus able to infect humans and multiple nonhuman animal species. Most natural infections in companion, captive zoo, livestock, and wildlife species have been related to a reverse transmission, raising concern about potential generation of animal reservoirs due to human-animal interactions. To date, American mink and white-tailed deer are the only species that led to extensive intraspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2 after reverse zoonosis, leading to an efficient spread of the virus and subsequent animal-to-human transmission. Viral host adaptations increase the probability of new SARS-CoV-2 variants' emergence that could cause a major global health impact. Therefore, applying the One Health approach is crucial to prevent and overcome future threats for human, animal, and environmental fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leira Fernández-Bastit
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
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8
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Nooruzzaman M, Diel DG. Infection Dynamics, Pathogenesis, and Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in Naturally Susceptible Animal Species. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1195-1201. [PMID: 37782853 PMCID: PMC10558081 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, presents a broad host range. Domestic cats and white-tailed deer (WTD) are particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 with multiple variant strains being associated with infections in these species. The virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and in associated lymphoid tissues, and it is shed through oral and nasal secretions, which leads to efficient transmission of the virus to contact animals. Robust cell-mediated and humoral immune responses are induced upon infection in domestic cats, which curb the progression of clinical disease and are associated with control of infection. In WTD, high levels of neutralizing Abs are detected early upon infection. In this review, the current understanding of the infection dynamics, pathogenesis, and immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals, with special focus on naturally susceptible felids and WTD, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nooruzzaman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Diego G. Diel
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
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9
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Earnest R, Hahn AM, Feriancek NM, Brandt M, Filler RB, Zhao Z, Breban MI, Vogels CBF, Chen NFG, Koch RT, Porzucek AJ, Sodeinde A, Garbiel A, Keanna C, Litwak H, Stuber HR, Cantoni JL, Pitzer VE, Olarte Castillo XA, Goodman LB, Wilen CB, Linske MA, Williams SC, Grubaugh ND. Survey of white-footed mice in Connecticut, USA reveals low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and infection with divergent betacoronaviruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.22.559030. [PMID: 37808797 PMCID: PMC10557615 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.22.559030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Diverse mammalian species display susceptibility to and infection with SARS-CoV-2. Potential SARS-CoV-2 spillback into rodents is understudied despite their host role for numerous zoonoses and human proximity. We assessed exposure and infection among white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Connecticut, USA. We observed 1% (6/540) wild-type neutralizing antibody seroprevalence among 2020-2022 residential mice with no cross-neutralization of variants. We detected no SARS-CoV-2 infections via RT-qPCR, but identified non-SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus infections via pan-coronavirus PCR among 1% (5/468) of residential mice. Sequencing revealed two divergent betacoronaviruses, preliminarily named Peromyscus coronavirus-1 and -2. Both belong to the Betacoronavirus 1 species and are ~90% identical to the closest known relative, Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus. Low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence suggests white-footed mice may not be sufficiently susceptible or exposed to SARS-CoV-2 to present a long-term human health risk. However, the discovery of divergent, non-SARS-CoV-2 betacoronaviruses expands the diversity of known rodent coronaviruses and further investigation is required to understand their transmission extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Earnest
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Anne M Hahn
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Nicole M Feriancek
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Matthew Brandt
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Renata B Filler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Zhe Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mallery I Breban
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Chantal B F Vogels
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Nicholas F G Chen
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Robert T Koch
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Abbey J Porzucek
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Afeez Sodeinde
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alexa Garbiel
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Claire Keanna
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Hannah Litwak
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Heidi R Stuber
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jamie L Cantoni
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Virginia E Pitzer
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ximena A Olarte Castillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Laura B Goodman
- Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Craig B Wilen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Megan A Linske
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Scott C Williams
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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10
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Ehrlich M, Madden C, McBride DS, Nolting JM, Huey D, Kenney S, Wang Q, Saif LJ, Vlasova A, Dennis P, Lombardi D, Gibson S, McLaine A, Lauterbach S, Yaxley P, Winston JA, Diaz-Campos D, Pesapane R, Flint M, Flint J, Junge R, Faith SA, Bowman AS, Hale VL. Lack of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA Detection among a Convenience Sampling of Ohio Wildlife, Companion, and Agricultural Animals, 2020-2021. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2554. [PMID: 37627345 PMCID: PMC10451347 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in humans in late 2019 and spread rapidly, becoming a global pandemic. A zoonotic spillover event from animal to human was identified as the presumed origin. Subsequently, reports began emerging regarding spillback events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 infections in multiple animal species. These events highlighted critical links between animal and human health while also raising concerns about the development of new reservoir hosts and potential viral mutations that could alter the virulence and transmission or evade immune responses. Characterizing susceptibility, prevalence, and transmission between animal species became a priority to help protect animal and human health. In this study, we coalesced a large team of investigators and community partners to surveil for SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and free-ranging animals around Ohio between May 2020 and August 2021. We focused on species with known or predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, highly congregated or medically compromised animals (e.g., shelters, barns, veterinary hospitals), and animals that had frequent contact with humans (e.g., pets, agricultural animals, zoo animals, or animals in wildlife hospitals). This included free-ranging deer (n = 76 individuals), free-ranging mink (n = 57), multiple species of bats (n = 59), and other wildlife in addition to domestic cats (n = 275) and pigs (n = 184). In total, we tested 792 individual animals (34 species) via rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was not detected in any of the tested animals despite a major peak in human SARS-CoV-2 cases that occurred in Ohio subsequent to the peak of animal samplings. Importantly, we did not test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this study, which limited our ability to assess exposure. While the results of this study were negative, the surveillance effort was critical and remains key to understanding, predicting, and preventing the re-emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans or animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Ehrlich
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Madden
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Dillon S. McBride
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Jacqueline M. Nolting
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Devra Huey
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Scott Kenney
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Anastasia Vlasova
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Patricia Dennis
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland, OH 44144, USA
| | | | | | - Alexis McLaine
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sarah Lauterbach
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Page Yaxley
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jenessa A. Winston
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dubraska Diaz-Campos
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mark Flint
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Jaylene Flint
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Randy Junge
- Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Powell, OH 43065, USA
| | - Seth A. Faith
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew S. Bowman
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Vanessa L. Hale
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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11
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Feng A, Bevins S, Chandler J, DeLiberto TJ, Ghai R, Lantz K, Lenoch J, Retchless A, Shriner S, Tang CY, Tong SS, Torchetti M, Uehara A, Wan XF. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging white-tailed deer in the United States. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4078. [PMID: 37429851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus with documented bi-directional transmission between people and animals. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) poses a unique public health risk due to the potential for reservoir establishment where variants may persist and evolve. We collected 8,830 respiratory samples from free-ranging white-tailed deer across Washington, D.C. and 26 states in the United States between November 2021 and April 2022. We obtained 391 sequences and identified 34 Pango lineages including the Alpha, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants. Evolutionary analyses showed these white-tailed deer viruses originated from at least 109 independent spillovers from humans, which resulted in 39 cases of subsequent local deer-to-deer transmission and three cases of potential spillover from white-tailed deer back to humans. Viruses repeatedly adapted to white-tailed deer with recurring amino acid substitutions across spike and other proteins. Overall, our findings suggest that multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages were introduced, became enzootic, and co-circulated in white-tailed deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijing Feng
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sarah Bevins
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jeff Chandler
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Ria Ghai
- One Health Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristina Lantz
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Julianna Lenoch
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Adam Retchless
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Susan Shriner
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Cynthia Y Tang
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Suxiang Sue Tong
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Anna Uehara
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiu-Feng Wan
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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12
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Žigaitė S, Masiulis M, Bušauskas P, Pilevičienė S, Buitkuvienė J, Paulauskas V, Malakauskas A. Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 passive surveillance in Lithuanian mink farms, 2020-2021. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1181826. [PMID: 37360410 PMCID: PMC10288870 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1181826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The newly emerged SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19 in humans, is also infecting American mink (Neovison vison), used in fur production. Since 2020, passive surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms was implemented in Lithuania. Here, we describe data from a survey of all 57 active Lithuanian mink farms carried out during November-December 2021 to complement passive surveillance in the country. In all 57 mink farms, nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from dead or live mink and tested by real-time RT-PCR. Dead mink samples were tested in pools of 5, while live mink samples were tested individually. In 19 mink farms, blood serum was collected and tested for antibodies to determine previous exposure to the virus. Environmental samples from 55 farms were also collected and tested in pooled samples by real-time RT-PCR. The present survey has detected 22.81% viral RNA-positive mink farms and a high number of mink farms that were exposed (84.21, 95% CI 67.81-100%) to the virus. The increasing exposure of mink farms to the virus due to growing human COVID-19 cases and limitations of passive surveillance could explain the observed epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in Lithuanian mink farms, compared to the few positive farms previously detected by passive surveillance. The unexpected widespread exposure of mink farms to SARS-CoV-2 suggests that passive surveillance is ineffective for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in mink. Further studies are needed to reveal the present status in previously infected mink farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvija Žigaitė
- Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Marius Masiulis
- Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Simona Pilevičienė
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jūratė Buitkuvienė
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Alvydas Malakauskas
- Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
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13
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Klestova Z. Possible spread of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and wild animals and body temperature role. Virus Res 2023; 327:199066. [PMID: 36754290 PMCID: PMC9911306 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was officially announced in March 2020 and is still moving around the world. Virus strains, their pathogenicity and infectivity are changing, but the ability is fast to spread and harm people's health remained, despite the seasonality seasons and other circumstances. Most likely, humanity is doomed for a long time to coexistence with this emergent pathogen, since it is already circulating not only among the human population, but and among fauna, especially among wild animals in different regions of the planet. Thus, the range the virus has expanded, the material and conditions for its evolution are more than enough. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in known infected fauna species is analyzed and possible spread and ongoing circulation of the virus in domestic and wild animals are discussed. One of the main focus of the article is the role of animal body temperature, its fluctuations and the presence of entry receptors in the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 infection and virus spreading in possible new ecological niches. The possibility of long-term circulation of the pathogen among susceptible organisms is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinaida Klestova
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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14
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Hall JS, Hofmeister E, Ip HS, Nashold SW, Leon AE, Malavé CM, Falendysz EA, Rocke TE, Carossino M, Balasuriya U, Knowles S. Experimental Infection of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats ( Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2. mSphere 2023; 8:e0026322. [PMID: 36598226 PMCID: PMC9942575 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00263-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is thought to have originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies in the southern United States, often in urban areas and, as such, could be exposed to the virus from infected humans. We experimentally challenged wild T. brasiliensis with SARS-CoV-2 to determine the susceptibility, reservoir potential, and population impacts of infection in this species. Of 10 bats oronasally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2, 5 became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 days postinoculation. These five subjects all seroconverted and cleared the virus before the end of the study with no obvious clinical signs of disease. We additionally found no evidence of viral transmission to uninoculated subjects. These results indicate that while T. brasiliensis are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, infection of wild populations of T. brasiliensis would not likely cause mortality. However, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from T. brasiliensis to or from humans, or to other animal species, is a possibility requiring further investigation to better define. IMPORTANCE As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued for 3+ years, there has been increasing concern that the SARS-CoV-2 virus will enter wildlife populations and potentially create new reservoirs where the virus could adapt to a new host and create variants. This is particularly possible with species that reside in man-made structures, in proximity to infected human populations. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies, often in urban settings and, thus, can be exposed by infected humans and potentially transmit the virus to new hosts. We experimentally challenged T. brasiliensis with SARS-CoV-2 and revealed that they are susceptible to the virus and excrete moderate amounts for up to 18 days postinoculation. This is important information for wildlife biologists, wildlife rehabilitation workers, and the general public that may contact these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. S. Hall
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - E. Hofmeister
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - H. S. Ip
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - S. W. Nashold
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - A. E. Leon
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - C. M. Malavé
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - E. A. Falendysz
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - T. E. Rocke
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - M. Carossino
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Health Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Health Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - U. Balasuriya
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Health Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Health Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - S. Knowles
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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15
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White-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) may serve as a wildlife reservoir for nearly extinct SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2215067120. [PMID: 36719912 PMCID: PMC9963525 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215067120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from humans to white-tailed deer (WTD) and its ability to transmit from deer to deer raised concerns about the role of WTD in the epidemiology and ecology of the virus. Here, we present a comprehensive cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in WTD in the State of New York (NY). A total of 5,462 retropharyngeal lymph node samples collected from free-ranging hunter-harvested WTD during the hunting seasons of 2020 (Season 1, September to December 2020, n = 2,700) and 2021 (Season 2, September to December 2021, n = 2,762) were tested by SARS-CoV-2 real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 17 samples (0.6%) from Season 1 and in 583 samples (21.1%) from Season 2. Hotspots of infection were identified in multiple confined geographic areas of NY. Sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 164 samples demonstrated the presence of multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages and the cocirculation of three major variants of concern (VOCs) (Alpha, Gamma, and Delta) in WTD. Our analysis suggests the occurrence of multiple spillover events (human to deer) of the Alpha and Delta lineages with subsequent deer-to-deer transmission and adaptation of the viruses. Detection of Alpha and Gamma variants in WTD long after their broad circulation in humans in NY suggests that WTD may serve as a wildlife reservoir for VOCs no longer circulating in humans. Thus, implementation of continuous surveillance programs to monitor SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in WTD is warranted, and measures to minimize virus transmission between humans and animals are urgently needed.
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16
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Adlhoch C, Aznar I, Baldinelli F, Boklund A, Broglia A, Gerhards N, Mur L, Nannapaneni P, Ståhl K. SARS-CoV-2 in animals: susceptibility of animal species, risk for animal and public health, monitoring, prevention and control. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07822. [PMID: 36860662 PMCID: PMC9968901 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in humans and animals is continually evolving. To date, animal species known to transmit SARS-CoV-2 are American mink, raccoon dog, cat, ferret, hamster, house mouse, Egyptian fruit bat, deer mouse and white-tailed deer. Among farmed animals, American mink have the highest likelihood to become infected from humans or animals and further transmit SARS-CoV-2. In the EU, 44 outbreaks were reported in 2021 in mink farms in seven MSs, while only six in 2022 in two MSs, thus representing a decreasing trend. The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into mink farms is usually via infected humans; this can be controlled by systematically testing people entering farms and adequate biosecurity. The current most appropriate monitoring approach for mink is the outbreak confirmation based on suspicion, testing dead or clinically sick animals in case of increased mortality or positive farm personnel and the genomic surveillance of virus variants. The genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed mink-specific clusters with a potential to spill back into the human population. Among companion animals, cats, ferrets and hamsters are those at highest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which most likely originates from an infected human, and which has no or very low impact on virus circulation in the human population. Among wild animals (including zoo animals), mostly carnivores, great apes and white-tailed deer have been reported to be naturally infected by SARS-CoV-2. In the EU, no cases of infected wildlife have been reported so far. Proper disposal of human waste is advised to reduce the risks of spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 to wildlife. Furthermore, contact with wildlife, especially if sick or dead, should be minimised. No specific monitoring for wildlife is recommended apart from testing hunter-harvested animals with clinical signs or found-dead. Bats should be monitored as a natural host of many coronaviruses.
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17
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Abstract
The existence of coronaviruses has been known for many years. These viruses cause significant disease that primarily seems to affect agricultural species. Human coronavirus disease due to the 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and the 2012 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome made headlines; however, these outbreaks were controlled, and public concern quickly faded. This complacency ended in late 2019 when alarms were raised about a mysterious virus responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths in China. As we now know, this novel disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rapidly became a worldwide pandemic. Luckily, decades of research into animal coronaviruses hastened our understanding of the genetics, structure, transmission, and pathogenesis of these viruses. Coronaviruses infect a wide range of wild and domestic animals, with significant economic impact in several agricultural species. Their large genome, low dependency on host cellular proteins, and frequent recombination allow coronaviruses to successfully cross species barriers and adapt to different hosts including humans. The study of the animal diseases provides an understanding of the virus biology and pathogenesis and has assisted in the rapid development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here, we briefly review the classification, origin, etiology, transmission mechanisms, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, including available vaccines, for coronaviruses that affect domestic, farm, laboratory, and wild animal species. We also briefly describe the coronaviruses that affect humans. Expanding our knowledge of this complex group of viruses will better prepare us to design strategies to prevent and/or minimize the impact of future coronavirus outbreaks.
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Key Words
- bcov, bovine coronavirus
- ccov, canine coronavirus
- cov(s), coronavirus(es)
- covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- crcov, canine respiratory coronavirus
- e, coronaviral envelope protein
- ecov, equine coronavirus
- fcov, feline coronavirus
- fipv, feline infectious peritonitis virus
- gfcov, guinea fowl coronavirus
- hcov, human coronavirus
- ibv, infectious bronchitis virus
- m, coronaviral membrane protein
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- pedv, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
- pdcov, porcine deltacoronavirus
- phcov, pheasant coronavirus
- phev, porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
- prcov, porcine respiratory coronavirus
- rt-pcr, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- s, coronaviral spike protein
- sads-cov, swine acute diarrhea syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus–2
- tcov, turkey coronavirus
- tgev, transmissible gastroenteritis virus
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso S Gozalo
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland;,
| | - Tannia S Clark
- Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David M Kurtz
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
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18
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Porter AF, Purcell DFJ, Howden BP, Duchene S. Evolutionary rate of SARS-CoV-2 increases during zoonotic infection of farmed mink. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead002. [PMID: 36751428 PMCID: PMC9896948 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate genetic signatures of adaptation to the mink host, we characterised the evolutionary rate heterogeneity in mink-associated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2). In 2020, the first detected anthropozoonotic spillover event of SARS-CoV-2 occurred in mink farms throughout Europe and North America. Both spill-back of mink-associated lineages into the human population and the spread into the surrounding wildlife were reported, highlighting the potential formation of a zoonotic reservoir. Our findings suggest that the evolutionary rate of SARS-CoV-2 underwent an episodic increase upon introduction into the mink host before returning to the normal range observed in humans. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 lineages could have circulated in the mink population for a month before detection, and during this period, evolutionary rate estimates were between 3 × 10-3 and 1.05 × 10-2 (95 per cent HPD, with a mean rate of 6.59 × 10-3) a four- to thirteen-fold increase compared to that in humans. As there is evidence for unique mutational patterns within mink-associated lineages, we explored the emergence of four mink-specific Spike protein amino acid substitutions Y453F, S1147L, F486L, and Q314K. We found that mutation Y453F emerged early in multiple mink outbreaks and that mutations F486L and Q314K may co-occur. We suggest that SARS-CoV-2 undergoes a brief, but considerable, increase in evolutionary rate in response to greater selective pressures during species jumps, which may lead to the occurrence of mink-specific mutations. These findings emphasise the necessity of ongoing surveillance of zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 infections in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sebastian Duchene
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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19
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Reggiani A, Rugna G, Bonilauri P. SARS-CoV-2 and animals, a long story that doesn't have to end now: What we need to learn from the emergence of the Omicron variant. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1085613. [PMID: 36590812 PMCID: PMC9798331 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1085613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OIE, the world organization for animal health, recently released an update on the state of the art of knowledge regarding SARS-CoV-2 in animals. For farmed animals, ferrets and minks were found to be highly susceptible to the virus and develop symptomatic disease both in natural conditions and in experimental infections. Lagomorphs of the species Oryctolagus cuniculus are indicated as highly susceptible to the virus under experimental conditions, but show no symptoms of the disease and do not transmit the virus between conspecifics, unlike raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), which in addition to being highly susceptible to the virus under experimental conditions, can also transmit the virus between conspecifics. Among felines, the circulation of the virus has reached a level of cases such as sometimes suggests the experimental use of vaccines for human use or treatments with monoclonal antibodies. But even among wild animals, several species (White-tailed deer, Egyptian rousettes, and minks) have now been described as potential natural reservoirs of the virus. This proven circulation of SARS-CoV-2 among animals has not been accompanied by the development of an adequate surveillance system that allows following the evolution of the virus among its natural hosts. This will be all the more relevant as the surveillance system in humans inevitably drops and we move to surveillance by sentinels similar to the human flu virus. The lesson that we can draw from the emergence of Omicron and, more than likely, its animal origin must not be lost, and in this mini-review, we explain why.
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20
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Loh LC. Food for thought, feeding the medical soul: COVID-19 pandemic lessons and reflections: Dr Ian McWhinney Lecture, 2022. CANADIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN MEDECIN DE FAMILLE CANADIEN 2022; 68:874-879. [PMID: 36515056 PMCID: PMC9796983 DOI: 10.46747/cfp.6812874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence C. Loh
- Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the College of Family Physicians of Canada in Mississauga, Ont.,Correspondence Dr Lawrence C. Loh; e-mail
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21
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Adney DR, Lovaglio J, Schulz JE, Yinda CK, Avanzato VA, Haddock E, Port JR, Holbrook MG, Hanley PW, Saturday G, Scott D, Shaia C, Nelson AM, Spengler JR, Tansey C, Cossaboom CM, Wendling NM, Martens C, Easley J, Yap SW, Seifert SN, Munster VJ. Severe acute respiratory disease in American mink experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e159573. [PMID: 36509288 PMCID: PMC9746805 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.159573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An animal model that fully recapitulates severe COVID-19 presentation in humans has been a top priority since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Although multiple animal models are available for mild to moderate clinical disease, models that develop severe disease are still needed. Mink experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed severe acute respiratory disease, as evident by clinical respiratory disease, radiological, and histological changes. Virus was detected in nasal, oral, rectal, and fur swabs. Deep sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from oral swabs and lung tissue samples showed repeated enrichment for a mutation in the gene encoding nonstructural protein 6 in open reading frame 1ab. Together, these data indicate that American mink develop clinical features characteristic of severe COVID-19 and, as such, are uniquely suited to test viral countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle R. Adney
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Comparative Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jamie Lovaglio
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Schulz
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Claude Kwe Yinda
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Victoria A. Avanzato
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Elaine Haddock
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Julia R. Port
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Myndi G. Holbrook
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Patrick W. Hanley
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Comparative Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Dana Scott
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Andrew M. Nelson
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Comparative Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Cassandra Tansey
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Craig Martens
- Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - John Easley
- Mink Veterinary Consulting and Research Service, Glenbeulah, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Seng Wai Yap
- Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Stephanie N. Seifert
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Vincent J. Munster
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
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22
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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] [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
- *Correspondence: Bernard La Scola,
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23
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Islam A, Ferdous J, Islam S, Sayeed MA, Rahman MK, Saha O, Hassan MM, Shirin T. Transmission dynamics and susceptibility patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic, farmed and wild animals: Sustainable One Health surveillance for conservation and public health to prevent future epidemics and pandemics. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:2523-2543. [PMID: 34694705 PMCID: PMC8662162 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The exact origin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and source of introduction into humans has not been established yet, though it might be originated from animals. Therefore, we conducted a study to understand the putative reservoirs, transmission dynamics, and susceptibility patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Rhinolophus bats are presumed to be natural progenitors of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses. Initially, pangolin was thought to be the source of spillover to humans, but they might be infected by human or other animal species. So, the virus spillover pathways to humans remain unknown. Human-to-animal transmission has been testified in pet, farmed, zoo and free-ranging wild animals. Infected animals can transmit the virus to other animals in natural settings like mink-to-mink and mink-to-cat transmission. Animal-to-human transmission is not a persistent pathway, while mink-to-human transmission continues to be illuminated. Multiple companions and captive wild animals were infected by an emerging alpha variant of concern (B.1.1.7 lineage) whereas Asiatic lions were infected by delta variant, (B.1.617.2). To date, multiple animal species - cat, ferrets, non-human primates, hamsters and bats - showed high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in the experimental condition, while swine, poultry, cattle showed no susceptibility. The founding of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animal reservoirs can confront the control of the virus in humans and might carry a risk to the welfare and conservation of wildlife as well. We suggest vaccinating pets and captive animals to stop spillovers and spillback events. We recommend sustainable One Health surveillance at the animal-human-environmental interface to detect and prevent future epidemics and pandemics by Disease X.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariful Islam
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental ScienceDeakin UniversityVictoriaAustralia
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
| | - Jinnat Ferdous
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
| | - Shariful Islam
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
| | - Md. Abu Sayeed
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
| | - Md. Kaisar Rahman
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
| | - Otun Saha
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkUnited States
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of DhakaDhakaBangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineChattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
| | - Tahmina Shirin
- Institute of EpidemiologyDisease Control and Research (IEDCR)DhakaBangladesh
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24
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No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wild Mink (Mustela lutreola and Neogale vison) from Northern Spain during the First Two Years of Pandemic. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151971. [PMID: 35953960 PMCID: PMC9367499 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a betacoronavirus (β-CoV) closely related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which have also caused severe outbreaks of disease in human populations. Human-to-animal transmission events during the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented in several countries. Different animal species have been proven to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 both naturally and by experimental infection, including mustelids such as ferrets, otters, and American mink (Neogale vison). In this sense, infected farmed American mink develop respiratory signs associated with viral pneumonia. This study evaluates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in European mink (Mustela lutreola) and American mink from Spain, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike protein antigen in serum samples and/or by RT-qPCR assays in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. From January 2020 to February 2022, a total of 162 animals (127 European mink and 35 American mink) with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the study. Of the 126 serum samples analysed by serology, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were not detected in the mink included in this study. In the same way, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has not been detected in any of the 160 swabs samples analysed by RT-qPCR. This study shows the absence of the wild mink exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in a geographic area seriously affected by COVID-19. With these results, it can be considered that the probability that the virus is circulating in wild mink is low. With this, the risk of virus transmission to humans by this route is also considered improbable. Abstract The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wildlife is largely unevaluated, and extended surveillance of animal species is needed to reach a consensus on the role of animals in the emergence and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. This infection has been detected in farmed and domestic animals and wild animals, mainly in captivity. The interactions or shared resources with wildlife could represent a potential transmission pathway for the SARS-CoV-2 spill over to other wild species and could lead to health consequences or the establishment of new reservoirs in susceptible hosts. This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in European mink (Mustela lutreola) and American mink (Neogale vison) in Spain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen in serum samples and/or by RT-qPCR assays in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. From January 2020 to February 2022, a total of 162 animals (127 European mink and 35 American mink) with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the study. Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 were not found in the serum samples analysed (n = 126), nor was the virus amplified by RT-qPCR (n = 160 swabs). Our results suggest that the potential role of wild mink and the European mink bred in captivity and released to the wild as dispersers of SARS-CoV-2 is so far low. However, wildlife surveillance for early detection of human and animal risks should be continued. In this sense, epidemiological monitoring measures, including serology and molecular analysis, are necessary.
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25
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Hall JS, Hofmeister E, Ip HS, Nashold SW, Leon AE, Malavé CM, Falendysz EA, Rocke TE, Carossino M, Balasuriya U, Knowles S. Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats ( Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.07.18.500430. [PMID: 35898345 PMCID: PMC9327625 DOI: 10.1101/2022.07.18.500430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats ( Tadarida brasiliensis : TABR) live in large colonies in the southern United States, often in urban areas, and as such, could be exposed to the virus from infected humans. We experimentally challenged wild TABR with SARS-CoV-2 to determine the susceptibility, reservoir potential, and population impacts of infection in this species. Of nine bats oronasally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2, five became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 days post inoculation. These five subjects all seroconverted and cleared the virus before the end of the study with no obvious clinical signs of disease. We additionally found no evidence of viral transmission to uninoculated subjects. These results indicate that while TABR are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, infection of wild populations of TABR would not likely cause mortality. However, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from TABR to or from humans, or to other animal species, is a distinct possibility requiring further investigation to better define.
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Affiliation(s)
- JS Hall
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin,Corresponding author
| | - E Hofmeister
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - HS Ip
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - SW Nashold
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - AE Leon
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - CM Malavé
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - EA Falendysz
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - TE Rocke
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - M Carossino
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - U Balasuriya
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - S Knowles
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
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26
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Davoust B, Guérin P, Orain N, Fligny C, Flirden F, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O, Edouard S. Evidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in wild mustelids from Brittany (France). Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3400-e3407. [PMID: 35841263 PMCID: PMC9350122 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the French region of Brittany, mainly in the department of the Côtes d'Armor, during the first half of 2021, seropositivity for SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 33 animals tested (15.6%). Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG was detected against at least four out of five recombinant viral proteins (S1 receptor binding domain, nucleocapsid, S1 subunit, S2 subunit and spike) in three pine martens (Martes martes) and in two badgers (Meles meles) using the automated western blot technique. An ELISA test also identified seropositive cases, although these did not align with western blot results. Although the 171 qPCRs carried out on samples from the 33 mustelids were all negative, these preliminary results from this observational study nevertheless bear witness to infections of unknown origin. The epidemiological surveillance of Covid‐19 in wildlife must continue, in particular with effective serology tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Davoust
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Camille Fligny
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Fabien Flirden
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Rutherford C, Kafle P, Soos C, Epp T, Bradford L, Jenkins E. Investigating SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility in Animal Species: A Scoping Review. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2022; 16:11786302221107786. [PMID: 35782319 PMCID: PMC9247998 DOI: 10.1177/11786302221107786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the early stages of response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was imperative for researchers to rapidly determine what animal species may be susceptible to the virus, under low knowledge and high uncertainty conditions. In this scoping review, the animal species being evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, the methods used to evaluate susceptibility, and comparing the evaluations between different studies were conducted. Using the PRISMA-ScR methodology, publications and reports from peer-reviewed and gray literature sources were collected from databases, Google Scholar, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), snowballing, and recommendations from experts. Inclusion and relevance criteria were applied, and information was subsequently extracted, categorized, summarized, and analyzed. Ninety seven sources (publications and reports) were identified which investigated 649 animal species from eight different classes: Mammalia, Aves, Actinopterygii, Reptilia, Amphibia, Insecta, Chondrichthyes, and Coelacanthimorpha. Sources used four different methods to evaluate susceptibility, in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological analysis. Along with the different methods, how each source described "susceptibility" and evaluated the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 varied, with conflicting susceptibility evaluations evident between different sources. Early in the pandemic, in silico methods were used the most to predict animal species susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and helped guide more costly and intensive studies using in vivo or epidemiological analyses. However, the limitations of all methods must be recognized, and evaluations made by in silico and in vitro should be re-evaluated when more information becomes available, such as demonstrated susceptibility through in vivo and epidemiological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Rutherford
- School of Public Health, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Pratap Kafle
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
Canada
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical
Sciences, Long Island University Post Campus, Brookville, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Soos
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health
Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Pathology,
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
Canada
| | - Tasha Epp
- Department of Large Animal Clinical
Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Lori Bradford
- Ron and Jane Graham School of
Professional Development, College of Engineering, and School of Environment and
Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
Canada
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28
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Gontu A, Marlin EA, Ramasamy S, Neerukonda S, Anil G, Morgan J, Quraishi M, Chen C, Boorla VS, Nissly RH, Jakka P, Chothe SK, Ravichandran A, Kodali N, Amirthalingam S, LaBella L, Kelly K, Natesan P, Minns AM, Rossi RM, Werner JR, Hovingh E, Lindner SE, Tewari D, Kapur V, Vandegrift KJ, Maranas CD, Surendran Nair M, Kuchipudi SV. Development and Validation of Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detecting Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Cattle, Swine, and Chicken. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071358. [PMID: 35891340 PMCID: PMC9317974 DOI: 10.3390/v14071358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple domestic and wild animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cattle and swine are susceptible to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection. The unchecked transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in animal hosts could lead to virus adaptation and the emergence of novel variants. In addition, the spillover and subsequent adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in livestock could significantly impact food security as well as animal and public health. Therefore, it is essential to monitor livestock species for SARS-CoV-2 spillover. We developed and optimized species-specific indirect ELISAs (iELISAs) to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cattle, swine, and chickens using the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen. Serum samples collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were used to determine the cut-off threshold. RBD hyperimmunized sera from cattle (n = 3), swine (n = 6), and chicken (n = 3) were used as the positive controls. The iELISAs were evaluated compared to a live virus neutralization test using cattle (n = 150), swine (n = 150), and chicken (n = 150) serum samples collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The iELISAs for cattle, swine, and chicken were found to have 100% sensitivity and specificity. These tools facilitate the surveillance that is necessary to quickly identify spillovers into the three most important agricultural species worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinay Gontu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
| | - Erika A. Marlin
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Clinical & Diagnostic Assay Development Group, Pfizer, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Santhamani Ramasamy
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | | | - Gayatri Anil
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Jasmine Morgan
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Meysoon Quraishi
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (C.C.); (V.S.B.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Veda Sheersh Boorla
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (C.C.); (V.S.B.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Ruth H. Nissly
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
| | - Padmaja Jakka
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
| | - Shubhada K. Chothe
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Abirami Ravichandran
- Department of Integrative and Biomedical Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Nishitha Kodali
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
| | - Saranya Amirthalingam
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
| | - Lindsey LaBella
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Kathleen Kelly
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
| | - Pazhanivel Natesan
- Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600007, India;
| | - Allen M. Minns
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Randall M. Rossi
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
| | - Jacob R. Werner
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Ernest Hovingh
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
| | - Scott E. Lindner
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepanker Tewari
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA;
| | - Vivek Kapur
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kurt J. Vandegrift
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Costas D. Maranas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (C.C.); (V.S.B.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Meera Surendran Nair
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.N.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Suresh V. Kuchipudi
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.G.); (E.A.M.); (S.R.); (G.A.); (J.M.); (M.Q.); (P.J.); (S.K.C.); (N.K.); (S.A.); (L.L.); (E.H.)
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (R.H.N.); (K.K.)
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (A.M.M.); (R.M.R.); (S.E.L.); (V.K.); (K.J.V.)
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Correspondence: (M.S.N.); (S.V.K.)
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29
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Viral Hyperparasitism in Bat Ectoparasites: Implications for Pathogen Maintenance and Transmission. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061230. [PMID: 35744747 PMCID: PMC9230612 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans continue to encroach on the habitats of wild animals, potentially bringing different species into contact that would not typically encounter each other under natural circumstances, and forcing them into stressful, suboptimal conditions. Stressors from unsustainable human land use changes are suspected to dramatically exacerbate the probability of zoonotic spillover of pathogens from their natural reservoir hosts to humans, both by increasing viral load (and shedding) and the interface between wildlife with livestock, pets and humans. Given their known role as reservoir hosts, bats continue to be investigated for their possible role as the origins of many viral outbreaks. However, the participation of bat-associated ectoparasites in the spread of potential pathogens requires further work to establish. Here, we conducted a comprehensive review of viruses, viral genes and other viral sequences obtained from bat ectoparasites from studies over the last four decades. This review summarizes research findings of the seven virus families in which these studies have been performed, including Paramyxoviridae, Reoviridae, Flaviviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Nairoviridae, Rhabdoviridae and Filoviridae. We highlight that bat ectoparasites, including dipterans and ticks, are often found to have medically important viruses and may have a role in the maintenance of these pathogens within bat populations.
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30
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Clair V, Chan E, Paiero A, Fraser E, Gunvaldsen R, Newhouse E. One Health response to SARS-CoV-2-associated risk from mink farming in British Columbia, Canada, October 2020 to October 2021. CANADA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT = RELEVE DES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES AU CANADA 2022; 48:261-273. [PMID: 37333574 PMCID: PMC10274535 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v48i06a04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Background Mink farms are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks and carry an associated risk of novel SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence and non-human reservoir creation. In Denmark, control measures were insufficient to prevent onward transmission of a mink-associated variant, contributing to the nation-wide culling of farmed mink. To date, British Columbia (BC) is the only Canadian province to report mink farm SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. The objective of this study is to describe BC's One Health response to SARS-CoV-2-associated risk from mink farming, its outcomes, and insights from implementation. Methods The detection of two mink farm outbreaks in December 2020 catalyzed BC's risk mitigation response for both infected and uninfected farms, including the following: farm inspections and quarantines; Public Health Orders mandating mink mortality surveillance, enhanced personal protective equipment, biosafety measures and worker coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination, at-a-minimum weekly worker viral testing, and wildlife surveillance. Results A One Health approach enabled a timely, evidence-informed and coordinated response as the situation evolved, including the use of various legislative powers, consistent messaging and combined human and mink phylogenetic analysis. Ongoing mink and worker surveillance detected asymptomatic/subclinical infections and facilitated rapid isolation/quarantine to minimize onward transmission. Voluntary testing and mandatory vaccination for workers were acceptable to industry; enhanced personal protective equipment requirements were challenging. Regular farm inspections helped to assess and improve compliance. Conclusion British Columbia's One Health response reduced the risk of additional outbreaks, viral evolution and reservoir development; however, a third outbreak was detected in May 2021 despite implemented measures, and long-term sustainability of interventions proved challenging for both industry and governmental agencies involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronic Clair
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Elaine Chan
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
- Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON
| | | | - Erin Fraser
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | | | - Emily Newhouse
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
- Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, BC
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31
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Tan CCS, Lam SD, Richard D, Owen CJ, Berchtold D, Orengo C, Nair MS, Kuchipudi SV, Kapur V, van Dorp L, Balloux F. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals and potential host adaptation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2988. [PMID: 35624123 PMCID: PMC9142586 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30698-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, can infect a wide range of mammals. Since its spread in humans, secondary host jumps of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to multiple domestic and wild populations of mammals have been documented. Understanding the extent of adaptation to these animal hosts is critical for assessing the threat that the spillback of animal-adapted SARS-CoV-2 into humans poses. We compare the genomic landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal species to that in humans, profiling the mutational biases indicative of potentially different selective pressures in animals. We focus on viral genomes isolated from mink (Neovison vison) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for which multiple independent outbreaks driven by onward animal-to-animal transmission have been reported. We identify five candidate mutations for animal-specific adaptation in mink (NSP9_G37E, Spike_F486L, Spike_N501T, Spike_Y453F, ORF3a_L219V), and one in deer (NSP3a_L1035F), though they appear to confer a minimal advantage for human-to-human transmission. No considerable changes to the mutation rate or evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted from circulation in mink and deer thus far. Our findings suggest that minimal adaptation was required for onward transmission in mink and deer following human-to-animal spillover, highlighting the ‘generalist’ nature of SARS-CoV-2 as a mammalian pathogen. Here, Tan et al. find that the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink and deer required minimal adaptation, has only caused moderate changes to the evolutionary trajectory of the virus, and has not led to viral mutations that greatly improve human transmission thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric C S Tan
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK. .,Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Su Datt Lam
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Damien Richard
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Christine Orengo
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Meera Surendran Nair
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA.,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Suresh V Kuchipudi
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA.,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vivek Kapur
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucy van Dorp
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
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32
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Zambrano-Mila MS, Freire-Paspuel B, Orlando SA, Garcia-Bereguiain MA. SARS-CoV-2 infection in free roaming dogs from the Amazonian jungle. One Health 2022; 14:100387. [PMID: 35402682 PMCID: PMC8979833 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were several reports of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from human to animals, mostly to companion cats and dogs but also to free ranging wild species like minks and deers. Under this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in domestic animals to assess the risk of transmission between species have been suggested by the OIE. Here we present a case report of SARS-CoV-2 infection in free roaming dogs, found at a rural indigenous community from the Ecuadorian Amazonia. Oral and nasal swabs samples were collected from three dogs found during a COVID-19 surveillance intervention in Amazonian indigenous communities where severe COVID-19 outbreaks were suspected. Total RNA was extracted from dog samples and detection of SARS-CoV-2 gene targets N, ORF1ab and S was performed. The three dogs tested positive for at least two SARS-CoV-2 viral targets. Moreover, there was a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate of 87.2% within this community. Given that 17.1% of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals had an ultra high load greater than 108 copies/ml, transmission from humans to dogs likely occurred. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 positive free roaming dogs. Also, as those animals were found in the Amazonian forest, SARS-CoV-2 transmission to wild mammals is a potential concern. Given the high presence of free roaming dogs associated to rural and indigenous communities in South America, the potential role of these domestic animals on COVID-19 spread would deserve further surveillance studies involving SARS-CoV-2 detection by PCR and molecular epidemiology based on genome sequencing to confirm human to dog transmission.
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33
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Padilla-Blanco M, Aguiló-Gisbert J, Rubio V, Lizana V, Chillida-Martínez E, Cardells J, Maiques E, Rubio-Guerri C. The Finding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in a Wild Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra) Highlights the Need for Viral Surveillance in Wild Mustelids. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:826991. [PMID: 35433914 PMCID: PMC9010019 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.826991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals have been involved in the three known outbreaks of severe respiratory syndromes due to coronaviruses (years 2005, 2012, and 2019). The pandemic nature of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak increases the likelihood of infection from humans of susceptible animal species that, thus, could become secondary viral hosts and even disease reservoirs. We present evidence of spillover infection of wild mustelids by reporting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a Eurasian river otter found near a water reservoir in the Valencian Community (Spain). We detected the virus using two different commercial RTqPCR assays on RNA extracted from the nasopharynx (swabbing) and from lung tissue and mediastinal lymph node homogenates. The corresponding samples from two additional otters from distant sites tested negative in identical assays. The diagnosis in the positive otter was confirmed by two-tube RT-PCR assay in which RNA was first retrotranscribed, and then specific regions of the spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), and ORF10 genes were separately amplified from the produced cDNA, followed by electrophoretic visualization and Sanger sequencing. The sequences of the amplified products revealed some non-synonymous changes in the N and ORF10 partial sequences, relative to the consensus sequence. These changes, identified already in human patient samples, point to human origin of the virus, although their specific combination was unique. These findings, together with our previous report of SARS-CoV-2 infection of feral American mink, highlight the need for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance of wild or feral mustelids to evaluate the risk that these animals could become SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Padilla-Blanco
- Department of Pharmacy, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jordi Aguiló-Gisbert
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación, Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Rubio
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centro de Investigació Biomédica en la Red sobre Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Víctor Lizana
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación, Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Chillida-Martínez
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación, Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Cardells
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación, Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Maiques
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Elisa Maiques
| | - Consuelo Rubio-Guerri
- Department of Pharmacy, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain
- Consuelo Rubio-Guerri
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Barroso R, Vieira-Pires A, Antunes A, Fidalgo-Carvalho I. Susceptibility of Pets to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Lessons from a Seroepidemiologic Survey of Cats and Dogs in Portugal. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020345. [PMID: 35208799 PMCID: PMC8879010 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Betacoronavirus (β-CoV) are positive single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect mammals. In 2019, a novel zoonotic β-CoV emerged, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2. Although the most frequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission route is within humans, spillover from humans to domestic and wild animals has been reported, including cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and minks (Neovision vision). In order to understand the potential role of domestic animals in SARS-CoV-2 global transmission, as well their susceptibility to infection, a seroepidemiologic survey of cats and dogs in Portugal was conducted. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 15/69 (21.74%) cats and 7/148 (4.73%) dogs. Of the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive animals, 11/22 (50.00%) were possibly infected by human-to-animal transmission, and 5/15 (33.33%) cats were probably infected by cat-to-cat transmission. Moreover, one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Data suggest that cats and dogs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in natural conditions. Hence, a one-health approach is crucial in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to understand the risk factors beyond infection in a human–animal environment interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Barroso
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Alexandre Vieira-Pires
- Equigerminal, S.A., Rua Eduardo Correia, n°13 lote 20.12, 3030-507 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.V.-P.); (I.F.-C.)
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB) and Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra (III UC), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-22-3401-813
| | - Isabel Fidalgo-Carvalho
- Equigerminal, S.A., Rua Eduardo Correia, n°13 lote 20.12, 3030-507 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.V.-P.); (I.F.-C.)
- CIVG - Vasco da Gama Research Center, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama (EUVG), Campus Universitário, Av. José R. Sousa Fernandes, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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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SARS-CoV-2 infection in free-ranging white-tailed deer. Nature 2021; 602:481-486. [PMID: 34942632 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04353-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Humans have infected a wide range of animals with SARS-CoV-2 viruses1-5, but the establishment of a new natural animal reservoir has not been observed. Here, we document that free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are highly susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus, are exposed to a range of viral diversity from humans, and are capable of sustaining transmission in nature. SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected by rRT-PCR in more than one-third (129/360, 35.8%) of nasal swabs obtained from Odocoileus virginianus in northeast Ohio (USA) during January-March 2021. Deer in 6 locations were infected with 3 SARS-CoV-2 lineages (B.1.2, B.1.582, B.1.596). The B.1.2 viruses, dominant in humans in Ohio at the time, infected deer in four locations. Probable deer-to-deer transmission of B.1.2, B.1.582, and B.1.596 viruses was observed, allowing the virus to acquire amino acid substitutions in the spike protein (including the receptor-binding domain) and ORF1 that are infrequently seen in humans. No spillback to humans was observed, but these findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 viruses have the capacity to transmit in US wildlife, potentially opening new pathways for evolution. There is an urgent need to establish comprehensive "One Health" programs to monitor deer, the environment, and other wildlife hosts globally.
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Sharun K, Dhama K, Pawde AM, Gortázar C, Tiwari R, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, de la Fuente J, Michalak I, Attia YA. SARS-CoV-2 in animals: potential for unknown reservoir hosts and public health implications. Vet Q 2021; 41:181-201. [PMID: 33892621 PMCID: PMC8128218 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2021.1921311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously 2019-nCoV) is suspected of having originated in 2019 in China from a coronavirus infected bat of the genus Rhinolophus. Following the initial emergence, possibly facilitated by a mammalian bridge host, SARS-CoV-2 is currently transmitted across the globe via efficient human-to-human transmission. Results obtained from experimental studies indicate that animal species such as cats, ferrets, raccoon dogs, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, white-tailed deer, rabbits, Egyptian fruit bats, and Syrian hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that cat-to-cat and ferret-to-ferret transmission can take place via contact and air. However, natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported only in pet dogs and cats, tigers, lions, snow leopards, pumas, and gorillas at zoos, and farmed mink and ferrets. Even though human-to-animal spillover has been reported at several instances, SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals-to-humans has only been reported from mink-to-humans in mink farms. Following the rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within the mink population, a new mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant emerged that was identified in both humans and mink. The increasing reports of SARS-CoV-2 in carnivores indicate the higher susceptibility of animal species belonging to this order. The sporadic reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild animal species require further investigation to determine if SARS-CoV-2 or related Betacoronaviruses can get established in kept, feral or wild animal populations, which may eventually act as viral reservoirs. This review analyzes the current evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in domestic and wild animal species and their possible implications on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khan Sharun
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Abhijit M. Pawde
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio IREC Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, India
| | - D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana
- Semillero de Investigación en Zoonosis (SIZOO), Grupo de Investigacion BIOECOS, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Grupo de Investigacion Biomedicina, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Pereira, Colombia
- Latin American Network of Coronavirus Disease 2019-COVID-19 Research (LANCOVID-19), Pereira, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo, (UNIFRANZ), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio IREC Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Izabela Michalak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Youssef A. Attia
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- The Strategic Center to Kingdom Vision Realization, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Agriculture, Animal and Poultry Production Department, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
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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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Fischhoff IR, Castellanos AA, Rodrigues JPGLM, Varsani A, Han BA. Predicting the zoonotic capacity of mammals to transmit SARS-CoV-2. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211651. [PMID: 34784766 PMCID: PMC8596006 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Back and forth transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between humans and animals will establish wild reservoirs of virus that endanger long-term efforts to control COVID-19 in people and to protect vulnerable animal populations. Better targeting surveillance and laboratory experiments to validate zoonotic potential requires predicting high-risk host species. A major bottleneck to this effort is the few species with available sequences for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, a key receptor required for viral cell entry. We overcome this bottleneck by combining species' ecological and biological traits with three-dimensional modelling of host-virus protein-protein interactions using machine learning. This approach enables predictions about the zoonotic capacity of SARS-CoV-2 for greater than 5000 mammals-an order of magnitude more species than previously possible. Our predictions are strongly corroborated by in vivo studies. The predicted zoonotic capacity and proximity to humans suggest enhanced transmission risk from several common mammals, and priority areas of geographic overlap between these species and global COVID-19 hotspots. With molecular data available for only a small fraction of potential animal hosts, linking data across biological scales offers a conceptual advance that may expand our predictive modelling capacity for zoonotic viruses with similarly unknown host ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya R. Fischhoff
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | | | | | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, 7700 Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Barbara A. Han
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
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Adaptation, spread and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed minks and associated humans in the Netherlands. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6802. [PMID: 34815406 PMCID: PMC8611045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), SARS-CoV-2 was detected in farmed minks and genomic sequencing was performed on mink farms and farm personnel. Here, we describe the outbreak and use sequence data with Bayesian phylodynamic methods to explore SARS-CoV-2 transmission in minks and humans on farms. High number of farm infections (68/126) in minks and farm workers (>50% of farms) were detected, with limited community spread. Three of five initial introductions of SARS-CoV-2 led to subsequent spread between mink farms until November 2020. Viruses belonging to the largest cluster acquired an amino acid substitution in the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein (position 486), evolved faster and spread longer and more widely. Movement of people and distance between farms were statistically significant predictors of virus dispersal between farms. Our study provides novel insights into SARS-CoV-2 transmission between mink farms and highlights the importance of combining genetic information with epidemiological information when investigating outbreaks at the animal-human interface. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in mink farms in the Netherlands in the first wave of the pandemic with evidence of human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission. Here, the authors investigate this outbreak using phylodynamic analysis and show that personnel links and spatial proximity are predictors of transmission between farms.
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SARS-CoV-2 exposure in wild white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2114828118. [PMID: 34732584 PMCID: PMC8617405 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114828118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread human SARS-CoV-2 infections combined with human–wildlife interactions create the potential for reverse zoonosis from humans to wildlife. We targeted white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for serosurveillance based on evidence these deer have angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors with high affinity for SARS-CoV-2, are permissive to infection, exhibit sustained viral shedding, can transmit to conspecifics, exhibit social behavior, and can be abundant near urban centers. We evaluated 624 prepandemic and postpandemic serum samples from wild deer from four US states for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021 using a surrogate virus neutralization test. A subset of samples tested with a SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization test showed high concordance between tests. These data suggest white-tailed deer in the populations assessed have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
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Hale VL, Dennis PM, McBride DS, Nolting JM, Madden C, Huey D, Ehrlich M, Grieser J, Winston J, Lombardi D, Gibson S, Saif L, Killian ML, Lantz K, Tell R, Torchetti M, Robbe-Austerman S, Nelson MI, Faith SA, Bowman AS. SARS-CoV-2 infection in free-ranging white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.11.04.467308. [PMID: 34790982 PMCID: PMC8597885 DOI: 10.1101/2021.11.04.467308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human-to-animal spillover of SARS-CoV-2 virus has occurred in a wide range of animals, but thus far, the establishment of a new natural animal reservoir has not been detected. Here, we detected SARS-CoV-2 virus using rRT-PCR in 129 out of 360 (35.8%) free-ranging white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) from northeast Ohio (USA) sampled between January-March 2021. Deer in 6 locations were infected with at least 3 lineages of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.2, B.1.596, B.1.582). The B.1.2 viruses, dominant in Ohio at the time, spilled over multiple times into deer populations in different locations. Deer-to-deer transmission may have occurred in three locations. The establishment of a natural reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer could facilitate divergent evolutionary trajectories and future spillback to humans, further complicating long-term COVID-19 control strategies. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY A significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection in free-ranging US white-tailed deer reveals a potential new reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa L. Hale
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Patricia M. Dennis
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
| | - Dillon S. McBride
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jaqueline M. Nolting
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Madden
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Devra Huey
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Margot Ehrlich
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | - Jenessa Winston
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | | | - Linda Saif
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Center for Food Animal Health, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences; Wooster, OH, 44691, USA
| | - Mary L. Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Kristina Lantz
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Rachel Tell
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Suelee Robbe-Austerman
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Martha I. Nelson
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Seth A. Faith
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Andrew S. Bowman
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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SARS-CoV-2 evolution in animals suggests mechanisms for rapid variant selection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2105253118. [PMID: 34716263 PMCID: PMC8612357 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105253118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spillback from humans into domestic and wild animals has been well documented, and an accumulating number of studies illustrate that human-to-animal transmission is widespread in cats, mink, deer, and other species. Experimental inoculations of cats, mink, and ferrets have perpetuated transmission cycles. We sequenced full genomes of Vero cell-expanded SARS-CoV-2 inoculum and viruses recovered from cats (n = 6), dogs (n = 3), hamsters (n = 3), and a ferret (n = 1) following experimental exposure. Five nonsynonymous changes relative to the USA-WA1/2020 prototype strain were near fixation in the stock used for inoculation but had reverted to wild-type sequences at these sites in dogs, cats, and hamsters within 1- to 3-d postexposure. A total of 14 emergent variants (six in nonstructural genes, six in spike, and one each in orf8 and nucleocapsid) were detected in viruses recovered from animals. This included substitutions in spike residues H69, N501, and D614, which also vary in human lineages of concern. Even though a live virus was not cultured from dogs, substitutions in replicase genes were detected in amplified sequences. The rapid selection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro and in vivo reveals residues with functional significance during host switching. These observations also illustrate the potential for spillback from animal hosts to accelerate the evolution of new viral lineages, findings of particular concern for dogs and cats living in households with COVID-19 patients. More generally, this glimpse into viral host switching reveals the unrealized rapidity and plasticity of viral evolution in experimental animal model systems.
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Lee DH, Helal ZH, Kim J, Hunt A, Barbieri A, Tocco N, Frasca S, Kerr K, Hyeon JY, Chung DH, Risatti G. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Dog in Connecticut in February 2021. Viruses 2021; 13:2141. [PMID: 34834948 PMCID: PMC8623824 DOI: 10.3390/v13112141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the first detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a 3-month-old dog in Connecticut that died suddenly and was submitted to the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory for postmortem examination. Viral RNA was detected in multiple organs of the dog by reverse transcription real time-PCR (RT-qPCR). Negative and positive sense strands of viral RNA were visualized by in situ hybridization using RNAscope technology. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the hCoV-19/USA/CT-CVMDL-Dog-1/2021 (CT_Dog/2021) virus were conducted to identify the origin and lineage of the virus. The CT_Dog/2021 virus belonged to the GH/B1.2. genetic lineage and was genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2 identified in humans in the U.S. during the winter of 2020-2021. However, it was not related to other SARS-CoV-2 variants identified from companion animals in the U.S. It contained both the D614G in spike and P323L in nsp12 substitutions, which have become the dominant mutations in the United States. The continued sporadic detections of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals warrant public health concerns about the zoonotic potential of SARS-CoV-2 and enhance our collective understanding of the epidemiology of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hun Lee
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
| | - Zeinab H. Helal
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Junwon Kim
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
| | - Amelia Hunt
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Alyza Barbieri
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Natalie Tocco
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Salvatore Frasca
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Kirklyn Kerr
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - Ji-Yeon Hyeon
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
| | - David H. Chung
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
| | - Guillermo Risatti
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (Z.H.H.); (J.K.); (A.H.); (N.T.); (S.F.J.); (K.K.); (J.-Y.H.); (D.H.C.)
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA;
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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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Meekins DA, Gaudreault NN, Richt JA. Natural and Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Domestic and Wild Animals. Viruses 2021; 13:1993. [PMID: 34696423 PMCID: PMC8540328 DOI: 10.3390/v13101993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to spread with devastating effects on global health and socioeconomics. The susceptibility of domestic and wild animal species to infection is a critical facet of SARS-CoV-2 ecology, since reverse zoonotic spillover events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in animal populations could result in the establishment of new virus reservoirs. Adaptive mutations in the virus to new animal species could also complicate ongoing mitigation strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2. In addition, animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection are essential as standardized preclinical models for the development and efficacy testing of vaccines and therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the current findings regarding the susceptibility of different domestic and wild animal species to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide detailed descriptions of the clinical disease and transmissibility in these animals. In addition, we outline the documented natural infections in animals that have occurred at the human-animal interface. A comprehensive understanding of animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to inform public health, veterinary, and agricultural systems, and to guide environmental policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Meekins
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.A.M.); (N.N.G.)
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD), College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Natasha N. Gaudreault
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.A.M.); (N.N.G.)
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD), College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.A.M.); (N.N.G.)
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD), College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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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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Wang S, Li L, Yan F, Gao Y, Yang S, Xia X. COVID-19 Animal Models and Vaccines: Current Landscape and Future Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1082. [PMID: 34696190 PMCID: PMC8537799 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become an unprecedented challenge to global public health. With the intensification of the COVID-19 epidemic, the development of vaccines and therapeutic drugs against the etiological agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also widespread. To prove the effectiveness and safety of these preventive vaccines and therapeutic drugs, available animal models that faithfully recapitulate clinical hallmarks of COVID-19 are urgently needed. Currently, animal models including mice, golden hamsters, ferrets, nonhuman primates, and other susceptible animals have been involved in the study of COVID-19. Moreover, 117 vaccine candidates have entered clinical trials after the primary evaluation in animal models, of which inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, virus-vectored vaccines, and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines are promising vaccine candidates. In this review, we summarize the landscape of animal models for COVID-19 vaccine evaluation and advanced vaccines with an efficacy range from about 50% to more than 95%. In addition, we point out future directions for COVID-19 animal models and vaccine development, aiming at providing valuable information and accelerating the breakthroughs confronting SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (S.W.); (X.X.)
| | - Ling Li
- National Research Center for Exotic Animal Diseases, China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao 266000, China;
| | - Feihu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (S.W.); (X.X.)
| | - Yuwei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (S.W.); (X.X.)
| | - Songtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (S.W.); (X.X.)
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (S.W.); (X.X.)
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The ecology of zoonotic parasites in the Carnivora. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:1096-1110. [PMID: 34544647 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The order Carnivora includes over 300 species that vary many orders of magnitude in size and inhabit all major biomes, from tropical rainforests to polar seas. The high diversity of carnivore parasites represents a source of potential emerging diseases of humans. Zoonotic risk from this group may be driven in part by exceptionally high functional diversity of host species in behavioral, physiological, and ecological traits. We review global macroecological patterns of zoonotic parasites within carnivores, and explore the traits of species that serve as hosts of zoonotic parasites. We synthesize theoretical and empirical research and suggest future work on the roles of carnivores as biotic multipliers, regulators, and sentinels of zoonotic disease as timely research frontiers.
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50
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Chaintoutis SC, Thomou Z, Mouchtaropoulou E, Tsiolas G, Chassalevris T, Stylianaki I, Lagou M, Michailidou S, Moutou E, Koenen JJH, Dijkshoorn JW, Paraskevis D, Poutahidis T, Siarkou VI, Sypsa V, Argiriou A, Fortomaris P, Dovas CI. Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in naturally infected mink farms: Impact, transmission dynamics, genetic patterns, and environmental contamination. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009883. [PMID: 34492088 PMCID: PMC8448373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection outbreaks in minks have serious implications associated with animal health and welfare, and public health. In two naturally infected mink farms (A and B) located in Greece, we investigated the outbreaks and assessed parameters associated with virus transmission, immunity, pathology, and environmental contamination. Symptoms ranged from anorexia and mild depression to respiratory signs of varying intensity. Although the farms were at different breeding stages, mortality was similarly high (8.4% and 10.0%). The viral strains belonged to lineages B.1.1.218 and B.1.1.305, possessing the mink-specific S-Y453F substitution. Lung histopathology identified necrosis of smooth muscle and connective tissue elements of vascular walls, and vasculitis as the main early key events of the acute SARS-CoV-2-induced broncho-interstitial pneumonia. Molecular investigation in two dead minks indicated a consistently higher (0.3-1.3 log10 RNA copies/g) viral load in organs of the male mink compared to the female. In farm A, the infected farmers were responsible for the significant initial infection of 229 out of 1,000 handled minks, suggesting a very efficient human-to-mink transmission. Subsequent infections across the sheds wherein animals were being housed occurred due to airborne transmission. Based on a R0 of 2.90 and a growth rate equal to 0.293, the generation time was estimated to be 3.6 days, indicative of the massive SARS-CoV-2 dispersal among minks. After the end of the outbreaks, a similar percentage of animals were immune in the two farms (93.0% and 93.3%), preventing further virus transmission whereas, viral RNA was detected in samples collected from shed surfaces and air. Consequently, strict biosecurity is imperative during the occurrence of clinical signs. Environmental viral load monitoring, in conjunction with NGS should be adopted in mink farm surveillance. The minimum proportion of minks that need to be immunized to avoid outbreaks in farms was calculated at 65.5%, which is important for future vaccination campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafeim C. Chaintoutis
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Zoi Thomou
- Pecon Hellas PC, Dispilio, Kastoria, Greece
| | | | - George Tsiolas
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre of Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Greece
| | - Taxiarchis Chassalevris
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Stylianaki
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Lagou
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sofia Michailidou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre of Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Greece
| | - Evangelia Moutou
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theofilos Poutahidis
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Victoria I. Siarkou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anagnostis Argiriou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre of Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi, Greece
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Myrina, Greece
| | - Paschalis Fortomaris
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos I. Dovas
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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