Abstract
In this study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in one cat and three dogs from households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 living in the Madrid Community (Spain) at the time of expansion (December 2020 through June 2021) of the alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7). A thorough physical exam and nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs were collected for real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) SARS-CoV-2 testing on day 0 and in successive samplings on days 7, 14, 21, and 47 during monitoring. Blood was also drawn to determine complete blood counts, biochemical profiles, and serology of the IgG response against SARS-CoV-2. On day 0, the cat case 1 presented with dyspnea and fever associated with a mild bronchoalveolar pattern. The dog cases 2, 3, and 4 were healthy, but case 2 presented with coughing, dyspnea, and weakness, and case 4 exhibited coughing and bilateral nasal discharge 3 and 6 days before the clinical exam. Case 3 (from the same household as case 2) remained asymptomatic. SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR showed that the cat case 1 and the dog case 2 exhibited the lowest cycle threshold (Ct) (Ct < 30) when they presented clinical signs. Viral detection failed in successive samplings. Serological analyses revealed a positive IgG response in cat case 1 and dog cases 3 and 4 shortly after or simultaneously to virus shedding. Dog case 2 was seronegative, but seroconverted 21 days after SARS-CoV-2 detection. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was attempted, and genomes were classified as belonging to the B.1.1.7 lineage.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in Wuhan in December 2019
We describe the SARS-CoV2 infection dynamics in three dogs and one cat from households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 living in the Madrid Region (Spain) at the time of expansion of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2
SARSCoV-2 infection was detected by RT-qPCR in cat and dog cases by amplification of at least two targets with cycle threshold (Ct) < 37 on day 0 (Table 2)
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in Wuhan in December 2019. To date, ∼200 million humans have determined to be infected worldwide, and more than 4 million deaths have occurred [2, 3]. Between December 2020 and June 2021, the third and fourth epidemic periods of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pets From Spain. COVID-19 occurred in Spain, coinciding with the expansion of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 (corresponding to lineage B.1.1.7) that spread throughout Europe and North America during the first months of 2021 until it became the dominant variant. The discovery of additional animal species infected with SARS-CoV-2 has increased, including companion animals (such as dogs, cats, and pet ferrets), captive animals (tigers, lions, gorillas, otters, pumas, and snow leopards) and minks from mink farms in America, Asia, and Europe (OIE, 2021). All cases described in animals have been associated with inverse zoonosis (human-to-animal transmission) from zookeepers, mink farmworkers, or owners living with dogs and cats [5, 6]
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