Molecular surveillance of potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir hosts in wildlife rehabilitation centers

Mena, J. et al. (2023) Molecular surveillance of potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir hosts in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Veterinary Quarterly, 43(1), pp. 1-10. (doi: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2164909) (PMID:36594266) (PMCID:PMC9858396)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID) under Grants ANID/COVID 0728 (GR), Fondecyt Postdoc PD3180707 (GR), Fondecyt Regular 1180940 (EC), and PAI77180009 (AR).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bacigalupo Bacigalupo, Antonella Eugenia
• Authors: Mena, J., Hidalgo, C., Estay-Olea, D., Sallaberry-Pincheira, N., Bacigalupo, A., Rubio, A. V., Peñaloza, D., Sánchez, C., Gómez-Adaros, J., Olmos, V., Cabello, J., Ivelic, K., Abarca, M. J., Ramírez-Álvarez, D., Torregrosa Rocabado, M., Durán Castro, N., Carreño, M., Gómez, G., Cattan, P. E., Ramírez-Toloza, G., Robbiano, S., Marchese, C., Raffo, E., Stowhas, P., Medina-Vogel, G., Landaeta-Aqueveque, C., Ortega, R., Waleckx, E., Gónzalez-Acuña, D., and Rojo, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Quarterly
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0165-2176
• ISSN (Online): 1875-5941
• Published Online: 03 January 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Veterinary Quarterly 43(1): 1-10
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License