Natural infection of Delta mutant of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Asiatic lions of India

Abstract

The current pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has underlined the importance of emerging diseases of zoonotic importance. Along with human beings, several species of wild and pet animals have been demonstrated to be infected by SARS-CoV-2, both naturally and experimentally. In addition, with constant emergence of new variants, the species susceptibility might further change which warrants intensified screening efforts. India is a vast and second most populated country, with a habitat of a very diverse range of animal species. In this study we place on record of SARS-CoV-2 infections in three captive Asiatic lions. Detailed genomic characterization revealed involvement of Delta mutant (Pango lineage B.1.617.2) of SARS-CoV-2 at two different locations. Interestingly, no other feline species enclosed in the zoo/park were found infected. The epidemiological and molecular analysis will contribute to the understanding of the emerging mutants of SARS-CoV-2 in wild and domestic animals.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, salient features, high global health concerns and strategies to counter it amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

“…In different species, immune pressure might be different, which might contribute to the enhanced mutation rate. It is to be noted that SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants including delta variant have been reported from animals ( Bonilla-Aldana and Rodriguez-Morales, 2021 ; Karikalan et al, 2021 ). SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for animals have also been developed recently, which could tackle this pandemic virus at the human-animal interface by reducing its circulation in animal population along with implementing one health strategies holistically ( Chavda et al, 2021 ; Sharun et al, 2021c ; Vandeputte et al, 2021 ).…”

Transmissibility and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in animal models

“…In addition, cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection among several species of large cats have also been reported (USDA, 2020(USDA, , 2021aFernández-Bellon et al, 2021). Interestingly, Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) were reported to be naturally infected with the B.1.617.2 variant at two different locations in India (Karikalan et al, 2021;Mishra et al, 2021). Notably, the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from the lions showed spike protein deletions (ΔE156 and ΔF157) and a mutation (R158G) not found in human-isolated SARS-CoV-2 sequences (Mishra et al, 2021).…”

High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at one of three captive cervid facilities in Texas

“…Despite many public health preventative measures and the advance of vaccination worldwide, epidemic waves of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused by more transmissible and antibody evasive genetic variants of concern have sustained the ongoing virus circulation (1,2). The susceptibility to infection and potential capacity to transmit SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and wildlife species have been increasingly reported (3)(4)(5)(6); this understanding is especially critical given wild animals remain unvaccinated and could serve as viral reservoirs.…”