Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is currently considered to have emerged from a bat coronavirus reservoir. However, the real natural cycle of this virus remains to be elucidated. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to novel opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between humans and susceptible animal species. In silico and in vitro evaluation of the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and eucaryotic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor have tentatively predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection of several animal species. Although useful, these data do not always correlate with in vivo data obtained in experimental models or during natural infections. Other host biological properties may intervene such as the body temperature, level of receptor expression, co-receptor, restriction factors, and genetic background. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 also depends on the extent and duration of viral shedding in the infected host as well as population density and behaviour (group living and grooming). Overall, current data indicate that the most at-risk interactions between humans and animals for COVID-19 infection are those involving certain mustelids (such as minks and ferrets), rodents (such as hamsters), lagomorphs (especially rabbits), and felines (including cats). Therefore, special attention should be paid to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with pets.
Highlights
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the order Nidovirales, suborder Cornidovirineae, family Coronaviridae, and subfamily Orthocoronavirinae
This review summarises the information that is currently available on the zoonotic nature of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 infections, including optimal conditions for the acquisition of this infection, natural and experimental diseases in animals, potential animal reservoirs and intermediate hosts, and modes of transmission of this coronavirus between the human and animal populations
What is the risk of reverse zoonosis, that is to say infection of animals from human cases of COVID-19? What is the extent of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to domestic animals and pets? What is the current role of domestic and companion animals in the SARS-CoV-2 zoonotic risk?
Summary
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the order Nidovirales, suborder Cornidovirineae, family Coronaviridae, and subfamily Orthocoronavirinae. The first was the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), which emerged in humans in 2002–2003 and was considered to originate from horseshoe bats Rhinolophus affinis [10]. The Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome virus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012 [10] This was considered to be of bat origin, but humans were probably infected through close contact with dromedaries [11]. The current hypothesis for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 corresponds to the zoonotic transmission of this virus to humans, at the seafood and “wet” live animal wholesale market in Wuhan [16]. This review summarises the information that is currently available on the zoonotic nature of SARS-CoV-2 infections, including optimal conditions for the acquisition of this infection, natural and experimental diseases in animals, potential animal reservoirs and intermediate hosts, and modes of transmission of this coronavirus between the human and animal populations. What is the risk of reverse zoonosis, that is to say infection of animals from human cases of COVID-19? What is the extent of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to domestic animals and pets? What is the current role of domestic and companion animals in the SARS-CoV-2 zoonotic risk?
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