First evidence of human‐to‐dog transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.160 variant in France

Abstract

Since the start of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, several episodes of human‐to‐animal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) transmission have been described in different countries. The role of pets, especially domestic dogs, in the COVID‐19 epidemiology is highly questionable and needs further investigation. In this study, we report a case of COVID‐19 in a French dog living in close contact with its owners who were COVID‐19 patients. The dog presented rhinitis and was sampled 1 week after its owners (a man and a woman) were tested positive for COVID‐19. The nasal swabs for the dog tested remained positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) 1 month following the first diagnosis. Specific anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were detectable 12 days after the first diagnosis and persisted for at least 5 months as tested using enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) and automated western blotting. The whole‐genome sequences from the dog and its owners were 99%–100% identical (with the man and the woman's sequences, respectively) and matched the B.1.160 variant of concern (Marseille‐4 variant), the most widespread in France at the time the dog was infected. This study documents the first detection of B.1.160 in pets (a dog) in France, and the first canine genome recovery of the B.1.160 variant of global concern. Moreover, given the enhanced infectivity and transmissibility of the Marseille‐4 variant for humans, this case also highlights the risk that pets may potentially play a significant role in SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreaks and may transmit the infection to humans. We have evidence of human‐to‐dog transmission of the Marseille‐4 variant since the owners were first to be infected. Finally, owners and veterinarians must be vigilent for canine COVID‐19 when dogs are presented with respiratory clinical signs.

The role of pets in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: an exploratory analysis

“…The role of cats and dogs in the transmission and epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been previously discussed [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Here, we present new data and further discuss that role.…”

“…Cats and dogs can be infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [3][4][5][6][7]. They may also develop COVID-19 with similar disease course and manifestation to humans, including respiratory symptoms and worse disease outcomes when comorbidities are present.…”

“…They may also develop COVID-19 with similar disease course and manifestation to humans, including respiratory symptoms and worse disease outcomes when comorbidities are present. Likewise, dogs may develop symptoms in the upper respiratory tract [5][6][7].…”

Susceptibility of wild canids to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

“…In each of these instances, the epidemiologic timeline, in conjunction with sequence homology, suggests that human-to-animal transmission has occurred. Similar to experimentally infected dogs, the majority of pet dogs with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection are asymptomatic, but there have been multiple infected dogs with mild, non-specific clinical signs including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, dyspnea, diarrhea, and weakness (12,(14)(15)(16)(17). A specialty veterinary hospital in the United Kingdom reported that concurrent to a wave of SARS-CoV-2 cases in humans, they observed an increase in the number of pet dogs and cats presenting with signs of myocarditis (18).…”

“…Presumably, these animals contracted the virus from being in close proximity to humans (i.e., reverse zoonosis). In multiple instances, similar or completely identical viral sequences have been isolated from the owners and their pet dogs (11)(12)(13). In each of these instances, the epidemiologic timeline, in conjunction with sequence homology, suggests that human-to-animal transmission has occurred.…”