Infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 variant B.1.1.7 detected in a group of dogs and cats with suspected myocarditis

Abstract

Background: Domestic pets can contract severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; however, it is unknown whether the UK B.1.1.7 variant can more easily infect certain animal species or increase the possibility of human-to-animal transmission. Methods: This is a descriptive case series reporting SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant infections in a group of dogs and cats with suspected myocarditis. Results:The study describes the infection of domestic cats and dogs by the B.1.1.7 variant. Two cats and one dog were positive to SARS-CoV-2 PCR on rectal swab, and two cats and one dog were found to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 2-6 weeks after they developed signs of cardiac disease. Many owners of these pets had developed respiratory symptoms 3-6 weeks before their pets became ill and had also tested positive for COVID-19. Interestingly, all these pets were referred for acute onset of cardiac disease, including severe myocardial disorders of suspected inflammatory origin but without primary respiratory signs. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the ability for pets to be infected by the B.1.1.7 variant and question its possible pathogenicity in these animals.

Myocardial Injury Complicated by Systolic Dysfunction in a COVID-19-Positive Dog

“…Initially, serological tests for Borrelia burgdorferi , Dirofilaria immitis , Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Ehrlichia canis , Leishmania infantum , Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella henselae infection were performed (SNAP 4Dx, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, U.S.A.; MegaFLUO LEISH, Vetefarma S.r.l., Cuneo, Italy; MegaFLUO TOXOPLASMA Gondii, Vetefarma S.r.l., Cuneo, Italy; Indirect immunofluorescence performed as described by Fabbi et al [ 28 ]), yielding negative results. Given the family history as well as the ongoing and still unexplained MI, further serum samples were subsequently submitted for SARS-CoV-2 investigation [ 19 , 21 ]. Different serological assays were performed (using samples collected on the same day) to detect antibodies against the S and the N proteins of SARS-CoV-2.…”

“…Similarly, respiratory signs are overrepresented among the few symptomatic dogs hitherto reported [ 6 , 8 , 11 ]. However, as COVID-19 is a polymorphic disease characterised by great variability in clinical presentation, non-respiratory complications may sometimes occur [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In humans, cardiac involvement during SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented by many authors and represents a source of great concern [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Although such zoonotic disease has probably disseminated mainly by human-to-human transmission, the existence of hundreds of millions of companion animals living closely with humans raises the question of their potential role in the outbreak [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Accordingly, several studies have been recently performed in dogs and cats in many countries [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], demonstrating their susceptibility to this infection. However, it is important to acknowledge that the majority of these studies are serological and/or molecular surveys primarily aimed at evaluating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic animals, not the related clinical compromise [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Given the above, clinical reports are needed, as they would help veterinarians in correctly interpreting findings from pets that have developed overt signs during a COVID-19 wave and/or have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In line with this need, this work aimed to report the development of myocardial injury (MI) complicated by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in a COVID-19-positive dog, a clinical picture poorly documented in this species [ 19 , 21 ], but well characterized in humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

A Spike protein-based subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for pets: safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in juvenile cats

“…In view of the above, this work demonstrates that the SWE-adjuvanted-and Alum-adjuvanted Spike vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 virus was able to induce high levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies in serum of vaccinated juvenile cats and that the induced response was able to prevent infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and the cardiovascular system. Testing for the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus in juvenile cat's heart samples in our studies was related to the nding that myocardial injury and fulminant myocarditis can occur from direct viraemic effect of COVID-19 on the myocardial cells of human [40] and increased incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infected cats that were diagnosed with compatible suspected myocarditis during their examinations [41].…”