PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats of humans diagnosed with COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  • Guilherme Amaral Calvet,
  • Sandro Antonio Pereira,
  • Maria Ogrzewalska,
  • Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa,
  • Paola Cristina Resende,
  • Wagner de Souza Tassinari,
  • Anielle de Pina Costa,
  • Lucas Oliveira Keidel,
  • Alice Sampaio Barreto da Rocha,
  • Michele Fernanda Borges da Silva,
  • Shanna Araujo Dos Santos,
  • Ana Beatriz Machado Lima,
  • Isabella Campos Vargas de Moraes,
  • Artur Augusto Velho Mendes Junior,
  • Thiago das Chagas Souza,
  • Ezequias Batista Martins,
  • Renato Orsini Ornellas,
  • Maria Lopes Corrêa,
  • Isabela Maria da Silva Antonio,
  • Lusiele Guaraldo,
  • Fernando do Couto Motta,
  • Patrícia Brasil,
  • Marilda Mendonça Siqueira,
  • Isabella Dib Ferreira Gremião,
  • Rodrigo Caldas Menezes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250853
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 4
p. e0250853

Abstract

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BackgroundInfection by SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals has been related to close contact with humans diagnosed with COVID-19. Objectives: To assess the exposure, infection, and persistence by SARS-CoV-2 of dogs and cats living in the same households of humans that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and to investigate clinical and laboratory alterations associated with animal infection.MethodsAnimals living with COVID-19 patients were longitudinally followed and had nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal and rectal swabs collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis, and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) to investigate specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.ResultsBetween May and October 2020, 39 pets (29 dogs and 10 cats) of 21 patients were investigated. Nine dogs (31%) and four cats (40%) from 10 (47.6%) households were infected with or seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Animals tested positive from 11 to 51 days after the human index COVID-19 case onset of symptoms. Three dogs tested positive twice within 14, 30, and 31 days apart. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies were detected in one dog (3.4%) and two cats (20%). In this study, six out of thirteen animals either infected with or seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 have developed mild but reversible signs of the disease. Using logistic regression analysis, neutering, and sharing bed with the ill owner were associated with pet infection.ConclusionsThe presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been identified in dogs and cats from households with human COVID-19 cases in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. People with COVID-19 should avoid close contact with their pets during the time of their illness.