Detection and molecular characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and the specific immune response in companion animals in Switzerland

Kuhlmeier, E. et al. (2023) Detection and molecular characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and the specific immune response in companion animals in Switzerland. Viruses, 15(1), 245. (doi: 10.3390/v15010245) (PMID:36680285) (PMCID:PMC9864232)

[img] Text
289891.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

4MB

Abstract

In human beings, there are five reported variants of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, in contrast to human beings, descriptions of infections of animals with specific variants are still rare. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive owners (“COVID-19 households”) with a focus on the Delta variant. Samples, obtained from companion animals and their owners were analyzed using a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Animals were also tested for antibodies and neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. Eleven cats and three dogs in nine COVID-19-positive households were RT-qPCR and/or serologically positive for the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. For seven animals, the genetic sequence could be determined. The animals were infected by one of the pangolin lineages B.1.617.2, AY.4, AY.43 and AY.129 and between zero and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected between the viral genomes of animals and their owners, indicating within-household transmission between animal and owner and in multi-pet households also between the animals. NGS data identified SNPs that occur at a higher frequency in the viral sequences of companion animals than in viral sequences of humans, as well as SNPs, which were exclusively found in the animals investigated in the current study and not in their owners. In conclusion, our study is the first to describe the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant transmission to animals in Switzerland and provides the first-ever description of Delta-variant pangolin lineages AY.129 and AY.4 in animals. Our results reinforce the need of a One Health approach in the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in animals.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:SARS-CoV-2, Delta, variant of concern, AY.129, AY.43, AY.4, B.1.617.2, animal, next-generation sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, variant specific antibodies, One Health, viral adaptation.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Jones, Dr Sarah and Hosie, Professor Margaret and Tyson, Grace
Creator Roles:
Jones, S.Formal analysis, Writing – review and editing
Tyson, G.Formal analysis
Hosie, M. J.Methodology, Validation, Writing – review and editing
Authors: Kuhlmeier, E., Chan, T., Agüí, C. V., Willi, B., Wolfensberger, A., Beisel, C., Topolsky, I., Beerenwinkel, N., Stadler, T., Jones, S., Tyson, G., Hosie, M. J., Reitt, K., Hüttl, J., Meli, M. L., and Hofmann-Lehmann, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Viruses
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:1999-4915
ISSN (Online):1999-4915
Published Online:15 January 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 The Authors
First Published:First published in Viruses 15(1): 245
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record