A Comprehensive Study of Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Dogs Naturally Exposed to SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the causal agent behind coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease declared pandemic in 2020. Because of the zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the close contact kept by domestic dogs with their owners, it became imperative to understand the role of dogs in the epidemiology of the disease and in the virus transmission. In the present study, we determined the presence of virus and described the long-term immune effects of SARS-CoV-2 in 24 dogs exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the domestic environment. Our findings highlight that only a subset of dogs, naturally exposed to SARS-CoV-2, exhibit a humoral response to the new virus (close to 17% had IgM antibodies and close to 33% has IgG antibodies). We identified for the first time SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ-secreting cells in dogs (approximately in half of our dogs). While 56% of dogs maintained humoral response 8 months, only 22% of dogs maintained cellular response after 4 and 8 months. Although some alterations in blood parameters and proinflammatory cytokines were described, there was no evidence indicating an exacerbated cytokine release process. Considering that none of the animals enrolled in this study showed viral shedding and presented specific immune responses, it is reasonable to propose that the canine immune system in certain companion dogs is effective at blocking the negative effects of viral replication, thereby suggesting that dogs would not be potential transmitters of this pathogen to the other dogs or other species and could aid in promoting collective immunity.