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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.12.08.416339

Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections, including virus isolation, among serially tested cats and dogs in households with confirmed human COVID-19 cases in Texas, USA

Hamer, S. A.·Pauvolid-Correa, A.·Zecca, I. B.·Davila, E.·Auckland, L. D.·Roundy, C. M.·Tang, W.·Torchetti, M. K.·Killian, M. L.·Jenkins-Moore, M.·Mozingo, K.·Akpalu, Y.·Ghai, R. R.·Spengler, J. R.·Barton Behravesh, C.·Fischer, R.·Hamer, G. L.
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Abstract

The natural infections and epidemiological roles of household pets in SARS-CoV-2 transmission are not understood. We conducted a longitudinal study of dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2 infected human in Texas and found 47.1% of 17 cats and 15.3% of 59 dogs from 25.6% of 39 households were positive for SARS-CoV-2 via RT-PCR and genome sequencing or neutralizing antibodies. Virus was isolated from one cat. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. Re-sampling of one infected cat showed persistence of viral RNA at least 32 d-post human diagnosis (25 d-post initial test). Across 15 antibody-positive animals, titers increased (33.3%), decreased (33.3%) or were stable (33.3%) over time. A One Health approach is informative for prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

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Hamer, S. A., Pauvolid-Correa, A., Zecca, I. B., Davila, E., Auckland, L. D., Roundy, C. M., Tang, W., Torchetti, M. K., Killian, M. L., Jenkins-Moore, M., Mozingo, K., Akpalu, Y., Ghai, R. R., Spengler, J. R., Barton Behravesh, C., Fischer, R., Hamer, G. L.. 2020-12-08. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections, including virus isolation, among serially tested cats and dogs in households with confirmed human COVID-19 cases in Texas, USA. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.08.416339

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