Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 26522

Special Issue Editors

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
Interests: infectious diseases and zoonoses; leptospirosis; Q fever; leishmaniosis; chlamydioses; hepatitis E; brucellosis; vector borne diseases; toxoplasmosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Veterinary Faculty, Zaragoza University, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: vector-borne disease; dog; cat; Leishmania; infectious diseases in small animals; diagnostic; veterinary para-sitology in small animals; veterinary medicine; ferret; small animal; dermatology; SARS-CoV-2
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Veterinary Faculty, Zaragoza University, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: vector-borne disease; dog; cat; Leishmania; infectious diseases in small animals; diagnostic; veterinary para-sitology in small animals; veterinary medicine; ferret; small animal; dermatology; SARS-CoV-2
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019, and spread rapidly to the rest of the world causing the pandemic disease named the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). To date, it is unknown what role pets, farm species and wildlife animals play in the epidemiology of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

In this Special Issue on “Susceptibility of animals to SARS-CoV-2” of Animals, we aim to collect the present state-of-the-art research and future directions on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and susceptibility of domestic animals, laboratory animals and wildlife species to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We invite original articles with relevant results that offer new information about the human–animal interface of SARS-CoV-2 that lead to a better understanding the role that animals can have in this infection. Different types of articles including reviews, original research, etc., are welcome to be submitted.

The “Susceptibility of animals to SARS-coronavirus 2” issue will advance knowledge on the latest research on this coronavirus.

Dr. Natale Alda
Dr. Antonio Fernández
Dr. Sergio Villanueva-Saz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animals
  • diagnosis
  • COVID-19
  • one health
  • pathology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 898 KiB  
Article
Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Beagle Dogs
by Kwang-Soo Lyoo, Yoon-Hwan Yeo, Sung-Geun Lee, Minjoo Yeom, Joo-Yeon Lee, Kyung-Chang Kim and Daesub Song
Animals 2023, 13(4), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040624 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1888
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in unprecedented challenges to healthcare worldwide. In particular, the anthroponotic transmission of human coronaviruses has become a common concern among pet owners. Here, we experimentally [...] Read more.
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in unprecedented challenges to healthcare worldwide. In particular, the anthroponotic transmission of human coronaviruses has become a common concern among pet owners. Here, we experimentally inoculated beagle dogs with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) to compare their susceptibility to and the pathogenicity of these viruses. The dogs in this study exhibited weight loss and increased body temperatures and shed the viruses in their nasal secretions, feces, and urine. Pathologic changes were observed in the lungs of the dogs inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV. Additionally, clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, such as increased lactate dehydrogenase levels, were identified in the current study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)
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10 pages, 1055 KiB  
Article
Oral Sampling of Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) Maternity Colonies for SARS-CoV-2 in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA
by Megan L. Moran, William Boyd, Jesse L. De La Cruz, Andrea S. Bertke and W. Mark Ford
Animals 2023, 13(4), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040550 - 04 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1810
Abstract
The potential introduction of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, into North American bat populations is of interest to wildlife managers due to recent disease-mediated declines of several species. Populations of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) have collapsed due [...] Read more.
The potential introduction of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, into North American bat populations is of interest to wildlife managers due to recent disease-mediated declines of several species. Populations of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) have collapsed due to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the introduction and spread of the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Throughout much of the United States and southern Canada, large colonies of the species routinely established diurnal roosts in anthropogenic structures, thereby creating the potential for direct human contact and cross-species disease transmission. Given recent declines and the potential for further disease impacts, we collected oral swabs from eight little brown bat maternity colonies to assess the presence and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR analysis. Little brown bat colonies in Maryland (n = 1), New Hampshire (n = 1), New Jersey (n = 2), New York (n = 1), Rhode Island (n = 2), and Virginia (n = 1) were taken during May-August, 2022. From 235 assayed individuals, no bat tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Our results indicate that little brown bats may not contract SARS-CoV-2 or that the virus persists at undetectable levels in populations of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during summer months. Nonetheless, continued monitoring and future work addressing other seasons may still be warranted to conclusively determine infection status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)
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10 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wild Mink (Mustela lutreola and Neogale vison) from Northern Spain during the First Two Years of Pandemic
by Sergio Villanueva-Saz, Jacobo Giner, Ana María Palomar, María Asunción Gómez, Madis Põdra, María del Carmen Aranda, María de los Ángeles Jiménez, Patricia Lizarraga, Raquel Hernández, Aránzazu Portillo, José Antonio Oteo, Ignacio Ruíz-Arrondo, María Dolores Pérez, Ana Pilar Tobajas, Maite Verde, Delia Lacasta, Diana Marteles, Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero, Llipsy Santiago, Héctor Ruíz and Antonio Fernándezadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Animals 2022, 12(15), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151971 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wildlife is largely unevaluated, and extended surveillance of animal species is needed to reach a consensus on the role of animals in the emergence and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. This infection has been detected in farmed and [...] Read more.
The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wildlife is largely unevaluated, and extended surveillance of animal species is needed to reach a consensus on the role of animals in the emergence and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. This infection has been detected in farmed and domestic animals and wild animals, mainly in captivity. The interactions or shared resources with wildlife could represent a potential transmission pathway for the SARS-CoV-2 spill over to other wild species and could lead to health consequences or the establishment of new reservoirs in susceptible hosts. This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in European mink (Mustela lutreola) and American mink (Neogale vison) in Spain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen in serum samples and/or by RT-qPCR assays in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. From January 2020 to February 2022, a total of 162 animals (127 European mink and 35 American mink) with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the study. Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 were not found in the serum samples analysed (n = 126), nor was the virus amplified by RT-qPCR (n = 160 swabs). Our results suggest that the potential role of wild mink and the European mink bred in captivity and released to the wild as dispersers of SARS-CoV-2 is so far low. However, wildlife surveillance for early detection of human and animal risks should be continued. In this sense, epidemiological monitoring measures, including serology and molecular analysis, are necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)

Review

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25 pages, 826 KiB  
Review
Interactions between Humans and Dogs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives
by Mohamed S. Kamel, Amr A. El-Sayed, Rachel A. Munds and Mohit S. Verma
Animals 2023, 13(3), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030524 - 02 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4558
Abstract
COVID-19 is one of the deadliest epidemics. This pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the role of dogs in spreading the disease in human society is poorly understood. This review sheds light on the limited susceptibility of [...] Read more.
COVID-19 is one of the deadliest epidemics. This pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the role of dogs in spreading the disease in human society is poorly understood. This review sheds light on the limited susceptibility of dogs to COVID-19 infections which is likely attributed to the relatively low levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the respiratory tract and the phylogenetic distance of ACE2 in dogs from the human ACE2 receptor. The low levels of ACE2 affect the binding affinity between spike and ACE2 proteins resulting in it being uncommon for dogs to spread the disease. To demonstrate the role of dogs in spreading COVID-19, we reviewed the epidemiological studies and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. Additionally, we discussed the use of detection dogs as a rapid and reliable method for effectively discriminating between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals using different types of samples (secretions, saliva, and sweat). We considered the available information on COVID-19 in the human–dog interfaces involving the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 to dogs by infected individuals and vice versa, the human–dog behavior changes, and the importance of preventive measures because the risk of transmission by domestic dogs remains a concern. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)
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21 pages, 21649 KiB  
Review
Diversity of Coronaviruses with Particular Attention to the Interspecies Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
by Awad A. Shehata, Youssef A. Attia, Md. Tanvir Rahman, Shereen Basiouni, Hesham R. El-Seedi, Esam I. Azhar, Asmaa F. Khafaga and Hafez M. Hafez
Animals 2022, 12(3), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030378 - 04 Feb 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4550
Abstract
In December 2019, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in China with serious impacts on global health and economy that is still ongoing. Although interspecies transmission of coronaviruses is common and well documented, each coronavirus has a [...] Read more.
In December 2019, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in China with serious impacts on global health and economy that is still ongoing. Although interspecies transmission of coronaviruses is common and well documented, each coronavirus has a narrowly restricted host range. Coronaviruses utilize different receptors to mediate membrane fusion and replication in the cell cytoplasm. The interplay between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of coronaviruses and their coevolution are determinants for host susceptibility. The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and has also been reported in domestic and wild animals, raising the question about the responsibility of animals in virus evolution. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic might also substantially have an impact on animal production for a long time. In the present review, we discussed the diversity of coronaviruses in animals and thus the diversity of their receptors. Moreover, the determinants of the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 in several animals, with special reference to the current evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in animals, were highlighted. Finally, we shed light on the urgent demand for the implementation of the One Health concept as a collaborative global approach to mitigate the threat for both humans and animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)
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Other

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16 pages, 1951 KiB  
Systematic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Outcome in Domestic and Wild Cats: A Systematic Review
by Sebastian Giraldo-Ramirez, Santiago Rendon-Marin, Javier A. Jaimes, Marlen Martinez-Gutierrez and Julian Ruiz-Saenz
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072056 - 09 Jul 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8063
Abstract
Recently, it has been proved that SARS-CoV-2 has the ability to infect multiple species. This work was aimed at identifying the clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild felids. A PRISMA-based systematic review was performed on case reports on domestic and [...] Read more.
Recently, it has been proved that SARS-CoV-2 has the ability to infect multiple species. This work was aimed at identifying the clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild felids. A PRISMA-based systematic review was performed on case reports on domestic and wild cats, reports on experimental infections, case reports in databases, preprints and published press releases. Descriptive statistical analysis of the data was performed. A total of 256 articles, 63 detailed official reports and 2 press articles on SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild cats were analyzed, of which 19 articles and 65 reports were finally included. In domestic cats, most cats’ infections are likely to be asymptomatic, and 46% of the reported infected animals were symptomatic and predominantly presented respiratory signs such as sneezing and coughing. In wild felines, respiratory clinical signs were most frequent, and up to 96.5% of the reported affected animals presented coughing. It is noteworthy that, to date, symptomatic animals with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported to belong to two different subfamilies (Phanterinae and Felinae), with up to five different felid species affected within the Felidae family. Reported results evince that the signs developed in felids show similar progression to those occurring in humans, suggesting a relationship between the viral cycle and target tissues of the virus in different species. While viral transmission to humans in contact with animal populations has not been reported, spill-back could result in the emergence of immune-escape mutants that might pose a risk to public health. Despite the clear results in the identification of the typical clinical picture of SARS-CoV-2 infection in felines, the number of detailed academic reports and papers on the subject is scarce. Therefore, further description of these cases will allow for more accurate and statistically robust clinical approaches in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2)
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