FIRST DESCRIPTION OF SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR SARS-CoV-2 IN CATTLE

Cattle and water buffalo are the main livestock species that are raised in the Campania region, southern Italy, and they contribute significantly to the regional rural economy. Currently there are limited data on the prevalence of relevant impact infections, such as bovine coronavirus (BCov), an RNA virus that causes acute enteric and respiratory disease. Although these diseases are described primarily in cattle, there have been reports of spillovers to other ruminants, including water buffalo. Here, we determined the seroprevalence of BCoV in cattle and water buffalo in the Campania region of southern Italy. An overall seroprevalence of 30.8% was determined after testing 720 sampled animals with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A risk factor analysis revealed that the seropositivity rates in cattle (49.2%) were higher than in water buffalo (5.3%). In addition, higher seroprevalence rates were observed in older and purchased animals. In cattle, housing type and location were not associated with higher seroprevalence. The presence of BCoV antibodies in water buffalo was associated with the practice of co-inhabiting with cattle, demonstrating that this practice is incorrect and promotes the transmission of pathogens between different species. Our study found a considerable seroprevalence, which is consistent with previous research from other countries. Our results provide information on the widespread distribution of this pathogen as well as the risk factors that are involved in its transmission. This information could be useful in the control and surveillance of this infection.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Coronavirus Infection among Dairy Cattle and Water Buffalo in Campania Region, Southern Italy

Ferrara

Iovane

Improda

et al. 2023

Lack of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA Detection among a Convenience Sampling of Ohio Wildlife, Companion, and Agricultural Animals, 2020–2021

Ehrlich

Madden

McBride

et al. 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in humans in late 2019 and spread rapidly, becoming a global pandemic. A zoonotic spillover event from animal to human was identified as the presumed origin. Subsequently, reports began emerging regarding spillback events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 infections in multiple animal species. These events highlighted critical links between animal and human health while also raising concerns about the development of new reservoir hosts and potential viral mutations that could alter the virulence and transmission or evade immune responses. Characterizing susceptibility, prevalence, and transmission between animal species became a priority to help protect animal and human health. In this study, we coalesced a large team of investigators and community partners to surveil for SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and free-ranging animals around Ohio between May 2020 and August 2021. We focused on species with known or predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, highly congregated or medically compromised animals (e.g., shelters, barns, veterinary hospitals), and animals that had frequent contact with humans (e.g., pets, agricultural animals, zoo animals, or animals in wildlife hospitals). This included free-ranging deer (n = 76 individuals), free-ranging mink (n = 57), multiple species of bats (n = 59), and other wildlife in addition to domestic cats (n = 275) and pigs (n = 184). In total, we tested 792 individual animals (34 species) via rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was not detected in any of the tested animals despite a major peak in human SARS-CoV-2 cases that occurred in Ohio subsequent to the peak of animal samplings. Importantly, we did not test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this study, which limited our ability to assess exposure. While the results of this study were negative, the surveillance effort was critical and remains key to understanding, predicting, and preventing the re-emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans or animals.

First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in White Rhinoceros during a Small-Scale Coronavirus Surveillance in the Bandia Reserve, Senegal

Italiya,

Vacek,

Matějů

et al. 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has heightened interest in the monitoring and surveillance of coronaviruses in wildlife. Testing for the virus in animals can provide valuable insights into viral reservoirs, transmission, and pathogenesis. In this study, we present the results of the molecular surveillance project focused on coronaviruses in Senegalese wildlife. During the project, we screened fecal samples of the wild animals living in the Bandia Reserve (ten non-human primates, one giraffe, and two white rhinoceros) and the free-living urban population of African four-toed hedgehogs in Ngaparou. The results showed the absence of coronaviruses in hedgehogs, non-human primates, and a giraffe. A single positive sample was obtained from a white rhinoceros. The sequencing results of amplified RdRp gene confirmed that the detected virus was SARS-CoV-2. This study represents the first documented instance of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in white rhinoceros and, therefore, extends our knowledge of possible SARS-CoV-2 hosts.