key: cord-328479-1tzysg7u
authors: Chen, Jianjun; Huang, Chaolin; Zhang, Yanan; Zhang, Sai; Jin, Meilin
title: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Specific Antibodies in Pets in Wuhan, China
date: 2020-06-21
journal: J Infect
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.06.045
sha: 
doc_id: 328479
cord_uid: 1tzysg7u

nan

(SARS-CoV-2), were first reported in Wuhan, China (2) (3) (4) . Since then, a large number of human COVID-19 cases have been reported around the world, becoming a global pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). Experimental data has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can use angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) as a receptor (2) . Furthermore, animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection have shown that ferrets and cats are susceptible to infection (5) , implying that companion animals might be infected after contact with individuals carrying COVID-19. In this study, we collected swab and blood samples from pet cats and dogs in Wuhan whose owners were confirmed to have COVID-19. Our results provide serological evidence for SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets.

Pet cats and dogs were recruited from COVID-19 patients admitted to Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, one of the designated hospitals for COVID-19. Participation of each pet was granted by the verbal informed consent of the respective owner.

Sampling was conducted on 30 and 31 March 2020. Whole blood, oral, and rectal swabs were collected, and the sex and age of the pets were recorded. Swab samples were collected using sterile swabs and placed in a vial containing 2 ml of viral transport medium, stored at 2-8°C, and shipped to the laboratory within 12 h for further analysis. Whole blood samples (0.5-1 ml) were drawn into evacuated tubes containing EDTA. Plasma was separated, aliquoted, and stored at -40°C prior to processing.

Swab and whole blood samples were collected from 10 cats (four female, six male) and 9 dogs (four female, five male) (Supplementary Table 1 We then conducted telephone questionnaires with the owners of the three pets.

All owners and their spouses were diagnosed with COVID-19. All three pets were in close contact with the owners and their spouses when they developed COVID-19 symptoms. During the period when the owners were admitted to hospital, cat 8 left the house and wandered outside for more than 1 month; dog 4 was fostered by a pet hospital for more than 1 month until the owner was discharged and back home; and cat 18 was quarantined at home with cat 17 and dog 16, and cared for by other family members once every 3 days; cat 17 and dog 16 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Questionnaire data suggests that pets acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus from their owners, while other source of infection could not be excluded.

In this study, we conducted a survey for SARS-CoV-2 in pets whose owners were diagnosed with COVID-19, in 15 communities in Wuhan. Serological data suggests that three pets (two cats, one dog) had been exposed to the virus, although viral RNA detection was negative. Prior to our study, a preprint of a research article posted online at bioRxiv indicated that SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detected in cats in Wuhan at the time of the COVID-19 epidemic (7) . In addition, pet dogs and cats in Hong Kong (8), whose owners had been diagnosed with COVID-19, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Collectively, these results indicate the SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted to companion animals, possible through contact with owners carrying COVID-19. However, we were not able to determine whether, under natural conditions, pet cats and dogs can be readily infected with or transmit SARS-CoV-2. Further studies will be needed to establish the role of pets in the current COVID-19 epidemic.

None.

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