Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Zoo-Kept Red Fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>)

Tatjana Chan; Julia Ginders; Evelyn Kuhlmeier; Marina L. Meli; Eva Bönzli; Theres Meili; Julia Hüttl; Jean-Michel Hatt; Karin Hindenlang Clerc; Anja Kipar; Fabia Wyss; Christian Wenker; Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis; Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí; Christian Urban; Christian Beisel; Tanja Stadler; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann

doi:10.3390/v16040521

Viruses (Mar 2024)

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Zoo-Kept Red Fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>)

Tatjana Chan,
Julia Ginders,
Evelyn Kuhlmeier,
Marina L. Meli,
Eva Bönzli,
Theres Meili,
Julia Hüttl,
Jean-Michel Hatt,
Karin Hindenlang Clerc,
Anja Kipar,
Fabia Wyss,
Christian Wenker,
Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis,
Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí,
Christian Urban,
Christian Beisel,
Tanja Stadler,
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann

Affiliations

Tatjana Chan: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Julia Ginders: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Evelyn Kuhlmeier: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Marina L. Meli: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Eva Bönzli: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Theres Meili: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Julia Hüttl: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Jean-Michel Hatt: Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Karin Hindenlang Clerc: Foundation Wildnispark Zurich, Alte Sihltalstrasse 38, 8135 Sihlwald, Switzerland
Anja Kipar: Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Fabia Wyss: Zoologischer Garten Basel AG, Binningerstrasse 40, 4054 Basel, Switzerland
Christian Wenker: Zoologischer Garten Basel AG, Binningerstrasse 40, 4054 Basel, Switzerland
Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis: Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Christian Urban: Functional Genomics Center, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Christian Beisel: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Tanja Stadler: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann: Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040521
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 4
p. 521

Abstract

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Many different animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including a few Canidae (domestic dog and raccoon dog). So far, only experimental evidence is available concerning SARS-CoV-2 infections in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in a sample from a red fox. The RT-qPCR-positive fox was zoo-kept together with another fox and two bears in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. Combined material from a conjunctival and nasal swab collected for canine distemper virus diagnostics tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with Ct values of 36.9 (E gene assay) and 35.7 (RdRp gene assay). The sample was analysed for SARS-CoV-2 within a research project testing residual routine diagnostic samples from different animal species submitted between spring 2020 and December 2022 to improve knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections within different animal species and investigate their potential role in a One Health context. Within this project, 246 samples from 153 different animals from Swiss zoos and other wild animal species all tested SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and/or serologically negative so far, except for the reported fox. The source of SARS-CoV-2 in the fox is unknown. The fox disappeared within the naturally structured enclosure, and the cadaver was not found. No further control measures were undertaken.

Published in Viruses

ISSN: 1999-4915 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses

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