Download This PaperSeroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Dogs and Cats: Results of a Retrospective Serological Survey of Infection in Dogs and Cats in Šumadija District, Serbia
22 Pages Posted: 18 Mar 2022
Abstract
It has long been known that coronaviruses cause various infectious diseases in animals. SARS-CoV-2 is genetically related to viruses isolated from Rhinolophus bats, although the exact origin and mode of transmission to the human population have not yet been established with certainty. Although the main route of transmission is human-to-human, there are considerable numbers of reported cases of infection in animal species, predominantly in companion animals. Despite the most likely mode of human-to-human transmission of the virus, further research is needed, especially in terms of understanding the possible role of pets, as animals that have the closest contact with humans. According to current knowledge, human-to-pet animal transmission is quite common and is not yet fully understood. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in dogs and cats during the COVID-19 pandemic in Šumadija District, Serbia. We analyzed the ability of serology to identify household contacts of pet animals with infected pet owners and the degree of association. The study presented in this paper is also the first study of this type in Serbia. In this research, the results of a retrospective serosurvey that was conducted in dogs and cats with different exposure risk factors were analyzed to find the possible modes of transmission between humans and animals and vice versa. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs was 1.45% bounded with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.0007-7.73%, while in cats, it was 5.56% (95% CI: 0.77-4.13%). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet owners was 11% (95% CI: 6.25-18.63%). In pets that were in close contact with COVID-19 positive owners, the prevalence was 9%. In our study, the finding of SARS-CoV-2 seropositive stray dogs and cats is also important. Out of a total of five tested serum samples, seroconversion was observed in two animals. SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets shows that these animals are susceptible to infection and that the most common means of virus transmission to pets is through contact with diseased owners. However, the presence of infection in stray dogs and cats is not clear and needs further research to understand the mode of transmission to these animals. The monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets could be useful as an additional instrument for monitoring SARS- CoV-2 circulation in the human population, ie, by using the companion animals as sentinel species to monitor the circulation of the virus in humans.
Note:
Funding Information: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Declaration of Interests: The authors of this research paper have no financial or personal interests that could have influenced this paper.
Ethics Approval Statement: All participants included in the study, ie. pet owners, filled out a questionnaire regarding their demographic information, clinical symptoms, and possible exposure to COVID-19. The survey was conducted after obtaining the consent of the pet owners.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, companion animals, stray dogs and cats, seroprevalence, ELISA
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