SDAV, the Rat Coronavirus—How Much Do We Know about It in the Light of Potential Zoonoses

Abstract

Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) is known to be an etiological agent, causing infections in laboratory rats. Until now, its role has only been considered in studies on respiratory and salivary gland infections. The scant literature data, consisting mainly of papers from the last century, do not sufficiently address the topic of SDAV infections. The ongoing pandemic has demonstrated, once again, the role of the Coronaviridae family as extremely dangerous etiological agents of human zoonoses. The ability of coronaviruses to cross the species barrier and change to hosts commonly found in close proximity to humans highlights the need to characterize SDAV infections. The main host of the infection is the rat, as mentioned above. Rats inhabit large urban agglomerations, carrying a vast epidemic threat. Of the 2277 existing rodent species, 217 are reservoirs for 66 zoonotic diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. This review provides insight into the current state of knowledge of SDAV characteristics and its likely zoonotic potential.

Cross-species transmission, evolution and zoonotic potential of coronaviruses

“…As a result, further research into the rodent's potential role in the evolution of CoVs is required to unravel the mysteries of future viral outbreaks (Han et al, 2015). Notably, murine thrive in urban areas and are well-adapted to coexistence with wildlife and humans (Langer and Giessen, 2007;Bartak et al, 2021), and they may spread unidentified CoVs in the community. Such viruses include swine enteric CoVs (SeCoVs), Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), etc.…”

Monitoring Urban Zoonotic Virus Activity: Are City Rats a Promising Surveillance Tool for Emerging Viruses?

“…The studied sites are highly frequented by humans and were suspected to present a high rat density. We focused our investigation on a limited number of viruses, previously identified in rodents at different locations worldwide [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] based on three criteria: The virus was previously reported in urban brown rats, e.g., Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) [ 12 , 13 ], hepatitis E virus ( Orthohepevirus A , HEV) [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], influenza A virus (IAV) [ 17 ], and coronaviruses [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]; The virus is known to circulate in Austria, i.e., West Nile virus (WNV) [ 21 , 22 ], Usutu virus (USUV) [ 21 , 23 , 24 ], HEV, which was recently detected in urban rats in Vienna [ 25 ], Puumala and Tula orthohantaviruses [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], or neighboring regions, i.e., Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus was reported in urban rats in neighboring Hungary [ 30 ] and orthopoxviruses (cowpox virus), diagnosed in free-roaming Austrian cats most likely following rodent exposure [ 31 ], including zoonotic transmission to humans through direct contact with the poxvirus lesions of the cat [ 32 ]; Rodents are thought to be the natural reservoir for the virus, i.e., encephalomyocarditis virus ( Cardiovirus A , EMCV) [ 33 ]. …”

“…The virus was previously reported in urban brown rats, e.g., Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) [ 12 , 13 ], hepatitis E virus ( Orthohepevirus A , HEV) [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], influenza A virus (IAV) [ 17 ], and coronaviruses [ 18 , 19 , 20 ];…”