Susceptibility of Raccoon Dogs for Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Freuling, Conrad Martin; Breithaupt, Angele; Müller, Thomas; Sehl, Julia; Balkema‐Buschmann, Anne; Rissmann, Melanie; Klein, Antonia; Wylezich, Claudia; Höper, Dirk W.; Wernike, Kerstin; Aebischer, Andrea; Hoffmann, Donata; Friedrichs, Virginia; Dorhoi, Anca; Groschup, Martin H.; Beer, Martin; Mettenleiter, Thomas C.

doi:10.3201/eid2612.203733

Cited by 159 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

137

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Sequence analysis of the spike glycoprotein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses suggest a series of recombination events between bat and pangolin coronaviruses, eventually leading to the emergence of this novel coronavirus [17]. However, raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), which were identified as possible intermediate hosts for the SARS pandemic of 2002-2003 [18], have also been suggested as candidate intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2 as experimental infection resulted in intense viral shedding [19]. Both pangolins and raccoon dogs have been found in wildlife markets in Southern China, along with many other wild mammals (some wild caught and others bred in captivity) and domesticated species [20,21].…”

Section: Wildlife Origins Of Sars-cov-2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such studies demonstrate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, albeit with varying levels of viral replication and shedding, in domestic cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaques (M. fascicularis), African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sp. ), Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [19,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35]. However, experimental studies are models of disease dynamics and do not precisely mimic the dynamics of infection and onward transmission under natural conditions.…”

Section: Host Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The animal reservoir responsible for the initial spillover into humans remains unknown, although phylogenetic analyses suggest that the virus lineage giving rise to SARS-CoV-2 may have been circulating in bats for at least several decades [44]. Experimental studies provide some evidence for intraspecies transmission via direct contact amongst racoon dogs [19], cats [32], ferrets [35,45] and Egyptian fruit bats [35]. For experimentally infected cats and ferrets, there is also evidence for airborne virus transmission [32,45,46].…”

Section: Persistence and Spread In Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this may not necessarily hold true for wild canids. For example, raccoon dogs have been shown to be susceptible to experimental infection and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [19]. The susceptibility of other wild canids such as foxes, and jackals is unknown, although analysis of the ACE2 receptor predicts that red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) would be susceptible [71].…”

Section: Canidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar opportunities may arise where wild and domestic canids are traded in markets o r kept at high densities in breeding facilities. In China raccoon dogs are farmed for their fur and so akin to the situation in mink farms in Europe and the United States (see below), there is potential for spillover of SARS -CoV-2 from infected workers to captive animals, followed by onward spread and spillback to humans [19]. Thus any surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in canids might most usefully be targeted at urban areas with feral dogs, and at breeding facilities and markets.…”

Section: Canidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Assessing the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

Delahay¹,

Fuente²,

Smith³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 likely emerged from a wildlife source with transmission to humans followed by rapid geographic spread throughout the globe and dramatic impacts on both human health and global economies. Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been several instances of human-to-animal transmission involving companion, farmed and zoo animals, with the clear potential for spread into free-living wildlife. The establishment of reservoirs of infection in wild animals would create significant challenges to infection control in humans and could pose a threat to the welfare and conservation status of wildlife. Herein, we discuss the potential for exposure, maintenance and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in an initial selection of wild and feral species (bats, canids, felids, mustelids, great apes). Targeted surveillance and dynamic risk assessment are important tools for the early detection of infection in wildlife and a means of collating and synthesising emerging information in a rapidly changing situation. Such efforts should be integrated with public health information to provide insights into the potential role of wild mammals in the continuing epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. This approach should also be adopted to address the wider need to proactively assess threats to human and animal health from other diseases that may emerge from wildlife.

show abstract

Section: Wildlife Origins Of Sars-cov-2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Host Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Persistence and Spread In Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Canidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Canidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Assessing the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

Delahay¹,

Fuente²,

Smith³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The Ginkgo—Covid connection

Del Tredici

2024

Plants People Planet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Social Impact StatementGingko biloba is an iconic tree with a surprising connection to the SARS and Covid viruses that have impacted human health since 2003. Natural history studies on the ecology of Gingko seed dispersal by Carnivoran scavengers in Asia over the past 30 plus years have elucidated the deep evolutionary history that not only makes these animals effective at spreading seeds but also predisposes them to become intermediate hosts for spreading diseases to humans. Understanding the behavioral traits that underlie these kinds of plant–animal interactions has the potential to help people limit the spread of future spillover diseases.SummaryRaccoon dogs and masked palm civets are Carnivoran scavengers native to Eastern Asia that have been documented feeding on the malodorous sarcotesta of Ginkgo biloba seeds and effectively dispersing the hard nuts they contain. Research has shown that their immune systems are genetically enhanced to protect them from the disease‐causing organisms they might pick up from their omnivorous diets that include live and dead animals. Both species are farmed for fur and meat across China and, up until recently, were commonly sold in “wet” markets. Research has determined that the palm civet played a role in spreading the SARS virus to humans in 2003 and that the raccoon dog may have played a similar role in spreading Covid in Wuhan in 2019, although this has not been proven. In areas where Ginkgo is cultivated, there are numerous internet reports of Carnivorans feeding on its seeds indicating that its dispersal strategy of attracting scavengers by mimicking the smell of carrion is adaptive and effective.

show abstract

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of companion animals in Egypt and its risk of spillover

Hamdy

El‐Deeb

Hagag

et al. 2022

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Reverse zoonoses occur because of interactions between humans and animals. Homology of ACE‐2 cell receptors in different hosts and high mutation rate of SARS‐CoV‐2 enhance viral transmission among species. Objectives This study aimed to investigate spillover of SARS‐CoV‐2 between humans and companion animals. Methods A cross‐sectional study was constructed using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, serum and blood samples collected from 66 companion animals (33 cats and 33 dogs) that were in contact with SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive owners from December 2020 to March 2021. Swabs were screened by rRT‐PCR and some positive cases were confirmed by partial spike gene sequencing. Clinical pathology and pathological studies were also performed. Results Our findings revealed that 30% of cats (10/33) and 24% of dogs (8/33) were SARS‐CoV‐2 positive. While 33% of these animals were asymptomatic (6/18), 28% showed mild respiratory signs (5/18) and 39% displayed severe respiratory signs (7/18) including 4 dead cats 40% (4/10). Partial spike gene sequencing of 6 positive samples collected in December 2020 were identical to SARS‐CoV‐2 that was detected in humans in Egypt in that time frame. Clinical pathology findings revealed thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, as well as elevated levels of D‐dimer, LDH, CRP, and ferritin. Post‐mortem and histopathological examinations illustrated multisystemic effects. Conclusions There is a potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and pet animals. Impacts The present study highlighted the potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and their companion animals. Biosecurity measures should be applied to decrease spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 among humans and pet animals.

show abstract

Susceptibility of Raccoon Dogs for Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Cited by 159 publications

References 9 publications

Assessing the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

Assessing the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

The Ginkgo—Covid connection

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of companion animals in Egypt and its risk of spillover

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About