Journal
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 2322-2332Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1833687
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; felines; cats; susceptibility; transmission
Categories
Funding
- NBAF Transition Funds
- NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance [HHSN 272201400006C]
- Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases [HSHQDC 16-A-B0006]
- Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine start-up fund [PG 002165]
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service [58-32000-009-00D]
- Center for Research for Influenza Pathogenesis (CRIP), a NIAID [HHSN272201400008C]
- JPB Foundation [2020-215611 (5384)]
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and responsible for the current pandemic. Recent SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility studies in cats show that the virus can replicate in these companion animals and transmit to other cats. Here, we present an in-depth study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease and transmission in domestic cats. Cats were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 via intranasal and oral routes. One day post challenge (DPC), two sentinel cats were introduced. Animals were monitored for clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities and viral shedding. Postmortem examinations were performed at 4, 7 and 21 DPC. Viral RNA was not detected in blood but transiently in nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as various tissues. Tracheobronchoadenitis of submucosal glands with the presence of viral RNA and antigen was observed in airways of the infected cats. Serology showed that both, principals and sentinels, developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. All animals were clinically asymptomatic during the course of the study and capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to sentinels. The results of this study are critical for understanding the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 in a naturally susceptible host species, and for risk assessment.
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