Scientific Reports (Sep 2023)

Molecular detection and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs of positive owners during the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil

  • Juliana Arena Galhardo,
  • David Soeiro Barbosa,
  • Louise Bach Kmetiuk,
  • Otávio Valério de Carvalho,
  • Ana Izabel Passarella Teixeira,
  • Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca,
  • Luiza Campos Guerra de Araújo e Santos,
  • Daniel Costa Queiroz,
  • João Victor Oliveira Miranda,
  • Aluisio Pereira da Silva Filho,
  • Anisleidy Pérez Castillo,
  • Ricardo Nascimento Araujo,
  • Julia Angelica Gonçalves da Silveira,
  • Luiz Eduardo Ristow,
  • Daniel Friguglietti Brandespim,
  • Christina Pettan-Brewer,
  • Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães,
  • Valéria Dutra,
  • Helio Autran de Morais,
  • Andrea Pires dos Santos,
  • Rafael Garabet Agopian,
  • Renato Santana de Aguiar,
  • Alexander Welker Biondo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41285-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Despite previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats worldwide, the type of swab sample used for its detection through RT-qPCR needs to be better compared and described. Accordingly, as part of a multicenter study in Brazil, the aim of the present study was to assess which rectal or oropharyngeal swabs would be more appropriate for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs, through viral load comparison. Pets of owners diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 7 days were eligible. A total of 148 animals from four of the five Brazilian geographical regions were analyzed, among which 10/48 cats (20.83%) and 11/100 dogs (11.00%) were positive. The results suggested that oropharyngeal swabs should be considered for SARS-CoV-2 detection, particularly in cats, due to the higher cDNA viral load. Also, the genomic results showed similarities between SARS-CoV-2 animal variants and human variants that were circulating at the time of sampling, thus corroborating the existence of zooanthroponotic transmission. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the importance of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring among cats and dogs, as virus modification may indicate the possibility of mutations in animals and spillover back to owners. Thus, positive individuals should always self-isolate from their pets during COVID-19, to prevent trans-species transmission and mutation.