COVID-19 Research Reveals SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Dogs and Cats

Strategic Insights -

Recent research conducted by scientists at Louisiana State University has made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in canine and feline species. According to the study, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was transmitted from humans to dogs and cats during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a potential risk of zoonotic transmission.

The researchers developed and validated a panel of multiplex one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays for the simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and common canine and feline enteric viruses. These assays demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, detecting as few as 5-35 genome copies/L in multiplex format. The repeatability and reproducibility of the multiplex assays were excellent, with a coefficient of variation of 0.7%.

Among the 58 clinical samples tested, 34.5% were positive for at least one of these viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in two samples collected from one dog and one cat, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at Louisiana State University have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from humans to dogs and cats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The transmission indicates a potential risk of zoonotic transmission (i.e., spillback) of SARS-CoV-2.
  • A panel of multiplex one-step RT-qPCR assays was developed for the simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and common canine and feline enteric viruses.
  • The assays demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, detecting as few as 5-35 genome copies/L in multiplex format.
  • The repeatability and reproducibility of the multiplex assays were excellent, with a coefficient of variation of 0.7%.
  • Eighty-two percent of samples tested (34.5%) were positive for at least one of the viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

Statistics:

  • 58 clinical samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and common canine and feline enteric viruses.
  • 34.5% (20 samples) of the clinical samples were positive for at least one of the viruses.
  • 2 samples collected from one dog and one cat, respectively, were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
  • The multiplex assays had high analytical sensitivity, detecting as few as 5-35 genome copies/L.

Sources:

  • "Multiplex One-Step RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Enteric Viruses of Dogs and Cats." Viruses, vol. 15, no. 9, 2023, p. 1890.
  • Louisiana State University, "Reports from Louisiana State University Add New Data to Research in COVID-19 (Multiplex One-Step RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Enteric Viruses of Dogs and Cats)." Virus Weekly, September 26, 2023, p. 313.