Infection and transmission of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant in pregnant white-tailed deer

Cool, Konner; Gaudreault, Natasha N.; Morozov, Igor; Trujillo, Jessie D.; Meekins, David A.; McDowell, Chester; Carossino, Mariano; Bold, Dashzeveg; Kwon, Taehyun; Balaraman, Velmurugan; Madden, Daniel W.; Artiaga, Bianca Libanori; Pogranichniy, Roman M.; Sosa, Gleyder Roman; Henningson, Jaimie; Wilson, William C.; Balasuriya, Udeni B. R.; Garcı́a-Sastre, Adolfo; Richt, Jüergen A.

doi:10.1101/2021.08.15.456341

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…It is now clear, however, that, in competition studies, at least the alpha and beta VOCs show enhanced transmission in comparison with lineage A SARS-CoV-2 in a number of models, including hamsters, ferrets, and white-tailed deer [21][22][23][24]. This attribute could be dependent, at least partially, on the presence of VOC-specific spike substitutions such as N501Y, D614G, and V367F, which improve the affinity of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for the human and hamster angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2AU : PleasenotethatACE2hasbeendefinedasangiotensi…”

Section: Vaccine Cross-protection and Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and gaps in SARS-CoV-2 infection models

et al. 2022

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The global response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now facing new challenges such as vaccine inequity and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Preclinical models of disease, in particular animal models, are essential to investigate VOC pathogenesis, vaccine correlates of protection and postexposure therapies. Here, we provide an update from the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 modeling expert group (WHO-COM) assembled by WHO, regarding advances in preclinical models. In particular, we discuss how animal model research is playing a key role to evaluate VOC virulence, transmission and immune escape, and how animal models are being refined to recapitulate COVID-19 demographic variables such as comorbidities and age.

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Section: Vaccine Cross-protection and Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and gaps in SARS-CoV-2 infection models

et al. 2022

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“…Briefly, nucleotide sequences encoding the nucleocapsid N protein and the RBD of the S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 isolate Wuhan-Hu-1 (GenBank accession #: MT380725.1) were used for constructing plasmids for protein expression. The N and RBD genes, plus two streptavidin tags, were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pHL, and the recombinant proteins were produced in HEK (human embryo kidney) 293 cells as described previously 9 . Using a panel of known positive and pre-pandemic negative deer sera, cutoffs for the iELISA were established.…”

Section: Indirect Elisa Assays For Rbd and N Proteinmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An open question remains regarding whether deer, as in humans, may be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2 even in the presence of circulating neutralizing antibodies. Experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection in deer elicits a rapid neutralizing antibody immune response 9 , but it is not yet clear whether these antibodies prevent reinfection of deer. While direct evidence that experimentally or naturally SARS-CoV-2 infected white-tailed deer can be re-infected is lacking, it is noteworthy from the current investigation that one yearling male (number 2089) that was RT-PCR positive had a relatively robust level of neutralizing antibodies (78.7% inhibition, Table 1).…”

Section: ) a Ledmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) infection of white-tailed deer

Vandegrift

Yon

Nair

et al. 2022

Preprint

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White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are highly susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, with multiple reports of widespread spillover of virus from humans to free-living deer. While the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) has been shown to be notably more transmissible amongst humans, its ability to cause infection and spillover to non-human animals remains a challenge of concern. We found that 19 of the 131 (14.5%; 95% CI: 0.10-0.22) white-tailed deer opportunistically sampled on Staten Island, New York, between December 12, 2021, and January 31, 2022, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 specific serum antibodies using a surrogate virus neutralization assay, indicating prior exposure. The results also revealed strong evidence of age-dependence in antibody prevalence. A significantly (χ2, p < 0.001) greater proportion of yearling deer possessed neutralizing antibodies as compared with fawns (OR=12.7; 95% CI 4-37.5). Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was detected in nasal swabs from seven of 68 (10.29%; 95% CI: 0.0-0.20) of the sampled deer, and whole-genome sequencing identified the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VoC (B.1.1.529) is circulating amongst the white-tailed deer on Staten Island. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the deer Omicron sequences clustered closely with other, recently reported Omicron sequences recovered from infected humans in New York City and elsewhere, consistent with human to deer spillover. Interestingly, one individual deer was positive for viral RNA and had a high level of neutralizing antibodies, suggesting either rapid serological conversion during an ongoing infection or a breakthrough infection in a previously exposed animal. Together, our findings show that the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron VoC can infect white-tailed deer and highlights an urgent need for comprehensive surveillance of susceptible animal species to identify ecological transmission networks and better assess the potential risks of spillback to humans.

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“…As of 31 October 2021, the OIE reports that more than 598 natural infections have been identified in 14 different animal species including companion animals such as: cats and dogs; zoo animals including large cats, otter and gorillas; and farmed or wild animals, including mink and white-tailed deer (www.oie.int); (7). Experimental infections have demonstrated non-human primates, hamsters, ferrets, cats, and deer to be readily susceptible species, while dogs, pigs and cattle appear to have limited susceptibility, and avian species such as chickens and ducks are resistant to infection (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Rabbits, raccoon dogs, fruit bats, several wild mice species, and skunks have also been shown to be susceptible after experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2 (10,(18)(19)(20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Susceptibility of sheep to experimental co-infection with the ancestral lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant

Gaudreault¹,

Cool²,

Trujillo³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a global pandemic that has had significant impacts on human health and economies worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible and the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans. A wide range of animal species have also been shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection by experimental and/or natural infections. Domestic and large cats, mink, ferrets, hamsters, deer mice, white-tailed deer, and non-human primates have been shown to be highly susceptible, whereas other species such as mice, dogs, pigs, and cattle appear to be refractory to infection or have very limited susceptibility. Sheep (Ovis aries) are a commonly farmed domestic ruminant that have not previously been thoroughly investigated for their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we performed in vitro and in vivo studies which consisted of infection of ruminant-derived cell cultures and experimental challenge of sheep to investigate their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Our results showed that sheep-derived cell cultures support SARS-CoV-2 replication. Furthermore, experimental challenge of sheep demonstrated limited infection with viral RNA shed in nasal and oral swabs primarily at 1-day post challenge (DPC), and also detected in the respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues at 4 and 8 DPC. Sero-reactivity was also observed in some of the principal infected sheep but not the contact sentinels, indicating that transmission to co-mingled naïve sheep was not highly efficient; however, viral RNA was detected in some of the respiratory tract tissues of sentinel animals at 21 DPC. Furthermore, we used challenge inoculum consisting of a mixture of two SARS-CoV-2 isolates, representatives of the ancestral lineage A and the B.1.1.7-like alpha variant of concern (VOC), to study competition of the two virus strains. Our results indicate that sheep show low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that the alpha VOC outcompeted the ancestral lineage A strain.

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Infection and transmission of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant in pregnant white-tailed deer

Cited by 19 publications

References 42 publications

Advances and gaps in SARS-CoV-2 infection models

Advances and gaps in SARS-CoV-2 infection models

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) infection of white-tailed deer

Susceptibility of sheep to experimental co-infection with the ancestral lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant

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