Experimental and natural infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 in pets and wild and farm animals

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and has led to extremely high mortality rates. In addition to infecting humans, this virus also has infected animals. Experimental studies and natural infections showed that dogs have a low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas domesticated cats and other animals in the family Felidae, such as lions, tigers, snow leopards, and cougars, have a high susceptibility to viral infections. In addition, wild white-tailed deer, gorillas, and otters have been found to be infected by SARS-CoV-2. Furry farm animals, such as minks, have a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus appears to spread among minks and generate several new mutations, resulting in increased viral virulence. Furthermore, livestock animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, were found to have low susceptibility to the virus, whereas chicken, ducks, turkeys, quail, and geese did not show susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge can provide insights for the development of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies in animals and humans. Therefore, this review focuses on experimental (both replication and transmission) in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pets and in wild and farm animals, and to provide details on the mechanism associated with natural infection.

No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wild Mink (Mustela lutreola and Neogale vison) from Northern Spain during the First Two Years of Pandemic

“…The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a betacoronavirus (β-CoV) closely related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which have also caused severe outbreaks in human populations. Human-to-animal transmission events during the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented in several countries, including Hong Kong, Belgium, the United States, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Germany, and France, among others [ 1 , 2 ]. Furthermore, several animal species have proven to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, both naturally and experimentally [ 2 , 3 ], including mustelids such as farmed American mink ( Neogale vison ) [ 4 , 5 ], mink and ferret under experimental conditions [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], household and kept ferrets [ 11 , 12 ], captive Asian small-clawed otters [ 13 ], wild Eurasian river otter ( Lutra lutra ) [ 14 ] and feral American mink [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Human-to-animal transmission events during the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented in several countries, including Hong Kong, Belgium, the United States, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Germany, and France, among others [ 1 , 2 ]. Furthermore, several animal species have proven to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, both naturally and experimentally [ 2 , 3 ], including mustelids such as farmed American mink ( Neogale vison ) [ 4 , 5 ], mink and ferret under experimental conditions [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], household and kept ferrets [ 11 , 12 ], captive Asian small-clawed otters [ 13 ], wild Eurasian river otter ( Lutra lutra ) [ 14 ] and feral American mink [ 15 , 16 ]. In this sense, the virus spreads efficiently in farmed American mink.…”

A comparative study of eight serological methods shows that spike protein-based ELISAs are the most accurate tests for serodiagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats and dogs

“…An increasing number of animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 natural infections (ferret, cat, dog, mink, tiger, lion, gorilla, puma, and snow leopard) ( 3 – 5 ). However, genetic and epidemiological studies have suggested that these infections were introduced from humans rather than enzootic virus circulation (WHO-convened Global Study of Origins of SARS-CoV-2: China Part OMS).…”

“…However, genetic and epidemiological studies have suggested that these infections were introduced from humans rather than enzootic virus circulation (WHO-convened Global Study of Origins of SARS-CoV-2: China Part OMS). Experimental infections have also demonstrated the susceptibility of several animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection, mainly cats, ferrets, hamsters, and deer, as well as a certain resistance to infection by other species (cattle, pigs, chickens) ( 5 , 6 ).…”

Infection of equine bronchial epithelial cells with a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus

“…The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic of the disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 . A wide range of species of domestic animals and wildlife have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 (1)(2)(3)(4). Humans who handle horses have considerable direct contact with horses, including proximity to mucosal surfaces of the mouth and nose during activities such as haltering, placing bits, and feeding.…”