Increase in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in UK domestic felids despite weak immunogenicity of post-Omicron variants

Tyson, G. B. et al. (2023) Increase in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in UK domestic felids despite weak immunogenicity of post-Omicron variants. Viruses, 15(8), 1661. (doi: 10.3390/v15081661) (PMID:37632004) (PMCID:PMC10458763)

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in domestic cats have caused concern for both animal health and the potential for inter-species transmission. Cats are known to be susceptible to the Omicron variant and its descendants, however, the feline immune response to these variants is not well defined. We aimed to estimate the current seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in UK pet cats, as well as characterise the neutralising antibody response to the Omicron (BA.1) variant. A neutralising seroprevalence of 4.4% and an overall seroprevalence of 13.9% was observed. Both purebred and male cats were found to have the highest levels of seroprevalence, as well as cats aged between two and five years. The Omicron variant was found to have a lower immunogenicity in cats than the B.1, Alpha and Delta variants, which reflects previous reports of immune and vaccine evasion in humans. These results further underline the importance of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in UK cats as the virus continues to evolve.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was funded by UKRI-BBSRC, grant number BB/V019929/1, BSAVA PetSavers (award SRP 01.22) and the University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Marshall, Mrs Leigh and Jones, Dr Sarah and Hosie, Professor Margaret and Willett, Professor Brian and Logan, Miss Nicola and Scott, Mr Sam and Tyson, Grace and Sasvari, Hagar and Murcia, Professor Pablo
• Authors: Tyson, G. B., Jones, S., Montreuil-Spencer, C., Logan, N., Scott, S., Sasvari, H., McDonald, M., Marshall, L., Murcia, P. R., Willett, B. J., Weir, W., and Hosie, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; 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
• Journal Name: Viruses
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1999-4915
• ISSN (Online): 1999-4915
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Viruses 15(8):1661
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
312832		SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats: assessing their zoonotic potential and role in sustaining the pandemic	Margaret Hosie	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/V019929/1	SBOHVM - Veterinary Pathology Public Health & Disease Investigation