Serological Investigation on the Presence of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Domestic Cats Living with COVID-19 Positive Owners in the UAE, 2022
Mohamed El-Tholoth,
Mahmoud Hussein,
Dina Mohammed,
Majed Al-Rasheedi,
Hamad Al-Qubaisi,
Abdullah Al-Blooshi,
Mohammed Al-Ahbabi,
Zayed Al-Dhaheri,
Khalifa Al-Blooshi,
Majd Al-Herbawi,
Eman A. Abo Elfadl,
Rabiha Seboussi
Affiliations
Mohamed El-Tholoth
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Mahmoud Hussein
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Dina Mohammed
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Majed Al-Rasheedi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Hamad Al-Qubaisi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Abdullah Al-Blooshi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Mohammed Al-Ahbabi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Zayed Al-Dhaheri
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Khalifa Al-Blooshi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Majd Al-Herbawi
Animal Development & Health Department, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Dubai P.O. Box 1509, United Arab Emirates
Eman A. Abo Elfadl
Department of Animal Husbandry and Development of Animal Wealth, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
Rabiha Seboussi
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al Ain Men’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 17155, United Arab Emirates
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is widely circulating among domestic cats (Felis catus). The zoonotic origin of the emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the biological characteristics of CoVs, including the ability to cross interspecies barriers, facilitate its emergence in different animals, including cats’ populations. The current study is the first to report the serological investigation on the presence of FCoV and SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats living with COVID-19-positive owners in the UAE. A total of 83 sera were collected from domestic cats living with COVID-19-positive owners (by RT-qPCR). The cats were sampled during the period between February and May 2022 in Al-Ain and Abu Dhabi Cities, UAE. Detection of FCoV and SARS-CoV-2 was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FCoV antibodies were detected in 54 samples (65%). The frequencies of FCoV were significantly higher in purebred cats (48%; 40/83) and in the cat group with outdoor access (49.4%; 41/83). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in collected sera revealed 8 samples (9.6%) with positive results. Four samples (4.8%) showed positive results for both FCoV and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In conclusion, FCoV is widely circulating within cats’ populations involved in the study. The antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were detected in cats’ populations but at a low prevalence rate. COVID-19-positive people should avoid close contact with their cats. Future serological testing of large cats’ populations is crucial for providing a good understanding of COVID-19 dynamics in cats.
