Pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Beagle Dogs

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in unprecedented challenges to healthcare worldwide. In particular, the anthroponotic transmission of human coronaviruses has become a common concern among pet owners. Here, we experimentally inoculated beagle dogs with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV to compare the viral susceptibility and pathogenicity. The dogs exhibited weight loss and increased body temperature and shed the viruses in nasal secretion, faeces, and urine. Mild interstitial pneumonia lesions were observed in the lung tissues of infected dogs. Additionally, clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as increased lactate dehydrogenase levels was observed in the current study.

Interactions between Humans and Dogs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives

“…Within domestic animals, infection is possible in ferrets and cats, but unlikely in dogs, pigs, and chickens [62]. Cats have become infected by respiratory droplets from other animals, including rom humans [63][64][65]. Dogs can be infected experimentally and when infected show signs of fever, weight loss, and viral shedding via feces, nasal secretions, and urine [64].…”

“…Cats have become infected by respiratory droplets from other animals, including rom humans [63][64][65]. Dogs can be infected experimentally and when infected show signs of fever, weight loss, and viral shedding via feces, nasal secretions, and urine [64]. Furthermore, lung tissue from the experimentally infected dogs showed mild interstitial pneumonia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels [64].…”

“…As previously stated, the canine susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is restricted, at least for older variants. Moreover, studies on experimentally infected dogs are inconclusive, with some showing asymptomatic infections with no clinical signs, no replication or transmission to contact animals, and no pathological changes at necropsy, resulting only in an antibody response, and others showing the converse, as previously discussed [53,64]. For example, five beagles were intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2, and samples were collected over the following two weeks [65].…”