SARS-Cov-2 Natural Infection in a Symptomatic Cat: Diagnostic, Clinical and Medical Management in a One Health Vision.

Abstract

Simple SummarySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is responsible for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The susceptibility of experimentally infected pets, such as dogs, ferrets and cats, has been described in the recent bibliography; furthermore, the exposure of pets (dogs and cats) to SARS-CoV-2-infected owners under natural conditions was also reported. Most of the cats infected or exposed to SARS-CoV-2 were reported to be mildly symptomatic, while no study has described the clinical features and diagnostic management of symptomatic cats. This work reports the case of an indoor cat that developed clinical signs of disease after being in contact with SARS-CoV-2-infected owners and focuses on the importance of implementing a multisectoral One Health approach. Even though the viral shedding from pets does not appear sufficient to infect family members or other animals, the usual precautionary measures should urgently be considered as part of a global control system, as this integrated approach encompassing both humans and pets is pivotal for the early detection of any possible viral mutation.Despite the reported increase in SARS-CoV-2-infected pets, the description of the clinical features from natural infection and the medical follow up in symptomatic pets is still not sufficiently documented. This study reports the case of an indoor cat that displayed respiratory signs and a gastrointestinal syndrome, following the COVID-19 diagnosis of his owners. Thoracic radiographies were suggestive of bronchial pneumonia, while blood tests were indicative of a mild inflammatory process. Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs tested positive through RT-qPCR assays targeting SARS-CoV-2 genes 14 days after his owners tested positive for the virus. Nasal swabs persisted to be RT-qPCR positive after 31 days. Serology confirmed the presence of antibodies through ELISA, electrochemiluminescence analysis and plaque reduction neutralization test, recording a high antibody titre after 31 days. The cat improved after medical treatment and clinically recovered. This study suggests that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 could lead to a natural infection with bronchial pneumonia in cats along with a possible prolonged persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper airways, albeit at a low level. The cat developed neutralizing antibodies, reaching a high titre after 31 days. Further descriptions of SARS-CoV-2 naturally infected pets, their medical management and diagnostic findings would be useful to enhance knowledge about COVID-19 in susceptible animals.