Abstract
ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and responsible for the current global pandemic. We and others have previously demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can efficiently transmit the virus to naïve cats. Here, we address whether cats previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 can be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2. In two independent studies, SARS-CoV-2-infected cats were re-challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days post primary challenge (DPC) and necropsies performed at 4, 7 and 14 days post-secondary challenge (DP2C). Sentinels were co-mingled with the re-challenged cats at 1 DP2C. Clinical signs were recorded, and nasal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs, blood, and serum were collected and tissues examined for histologic lesions. Viral RNA was transiently shed via the nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal cavities of the re-challenged cats. Viral RNA was detected in various tissues of re-challenged cats euthanized at 4 DP2C, mainly in the upper respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues, but less frequently and at lower levels in the lower respiratory tract when compared to primary SARS-CoV-2 challenged cats at 4 DPC. Viral RNA and antigen detected in the respiratory tract of the primary SARS-CoV-2 infected cats at early DPCs were absent in the re-challenged cats. Naïve sentinels co-housed with the re-challenged cats did not shed virus or seroconvert. Together, our results indicate that cats previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be experimentally re-infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the levels of virus shed was insufficient for transmission to co-housed naïve sentinels. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats induces immune responses that provide partial, non-sterilizing immune protection against re-infection.
Highlights
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan China in late 2019 and responsible for the ongoing global pandemic [1]
A similar study design was used for the primary cat infections as in our previous study evaluating primary infection and transmission in cats [12]; it consisted of six principal cats inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 and two sentinel contact cats introduced at 1 days post primary challenge (DPC) (Figure 1)
Viral RNA was found in multiple tissues of the two principal infected cats euthanized at 4 DPC, including the upper respiratory tract (URT), lower respiratory tract (LRT), gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lymphatic organs, heart and olfactory bulb (Figure 3)
Summary
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan China in late 2019 and responsible for the ongoing global pandemic [1]. SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible and capable of causing severe disease in humans. There have been multiple cases reported of transmission from COVID-19 patients to animals including domestic cats, large cats, dogs, ferrets, and mink in China, South America, the United States and Europe Understanding SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, transmission and re-infection in companion animals and livestock species that are frequently in close proximity with humans is important for assessing risk and implementing mitigation strategies to stop virus spread in order to maintain public health as well as food and economic security [11]. Cats inoculated via natural routes of exposure can be infected and shed the virus from nasal, oral and rectal cavities starting from 1 up to 14 days with peak virus shedding occurring within
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