First report and genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a cat (Felis catus) in Colombia

Abstract

BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus of zoonotic origin that can bind to ACE2 receptors on the cells of many wild and domestic mammals. Studies have shown that the virus can circulate among animals mutate, lead to animal-to-human zoonotic jump, and further onward spread between humans. Infection in pets is unusual, and there are few human-to-pet transmission reports worldwide. OBJECTIVE To describe the SARS-CoV-2 infection in a domestic animal in Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean region. METHODS A cross-sectional molecular surveillance study was carried out, oral and rectal swabs were taken from cats and dogs living with people diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 was found in a cat living with a person with COVID-19. Genome sequencing showed that the B.1.111 lineage caused the infection in the cat. The owner’s sample could not be sequenced. The lineage is predominant in Colombia, and this variant is characterised by the presence of the D614D and Q57H mutation. CONCLUSION The present work is the first report of an infected cat with SARS-CoV-2 with whole-genome sequencing in Colombia. It highlights the importance of detecting SARS-CoV-2 mutations that could promote the transmissibility of this new coronavirus. There is still a significant information gap on human-to-cat-to-human infection; we encourage self-isolation measures between COVID-19 patients and companion animals. The findings of this study give a preliminary view of the current panorama of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals in Colombia.

Molecular detection and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs of positive owners during the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil

“…The high rate of detection through oropharyngeal swabs was similar to results from other studies 10 , 18 , 27 and possibly can be considered to be the recommended method for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in oropharyngeal swab samples from cats, because of the higher detection of viral genome. Also, the genomic results showed presence of variants similar to the variants that were predominantly infecting humans at the time, which strengthens the scientific evidence for zooanthroponotic transmission 13 , 14 .…”

“…The SARS-CoV-2 variants identified in cats and dogs are genetically similar to the ones that were circulating in humans at the same time, thus suggesting that transmission from people to domestic animals (zooanthroponotic transmission) is a common and ongoing occurrence 13 , 14 . Moreover, the epidemiological role that those animals could play in viral transmission to humans has also been studied.…”

Assessing the Potential Role of Cats (Felis catus) as Generators of Relevant SARS-CoV-2 Lineages during the Pandemic

“…Further, two cases of mild respiratory disease in two cats were described in New York State, where, despite the positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the affected cats, the source of infection was only determined in one of the cases related to the infected owner [21]. Subsequently, sporadic detections of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats showing respiratory and gastrointestinal clinical signs associated with COVID-19positive owners were reported worldwide [11,[22][23][24][25][26]. Thus, these case studies evidence that cats from affected households are at higher risk of infection compared to those without exposure to SARS-CoV-2.…”