Seroprevalence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in domestic dogs and cats and its relationship with COVID-19 cases in the city of Villavicencio, Colombia

Abstract

Background: Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, different animal species have been implicated as possible intermediate hosts that could facilitate the transmission of the virus between species. The detection of these hosts has intensified, reporting wild, zoo, farm, and pet animals. The goal of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins (IgG) in domestic dogs and cats and its epidemiological association with the frequency of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Villavicencio, Colombia. Methods: 300 dogs and 135 cats were randomly selected in a two-stage distribution by clusters according to COVID-19 cases (positive RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2) within the human population distributed within the eight communes of Villavicencio. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was applied in order to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in sera samples. Kernel density estimation was used to compare the prevalence of COVID-19 cases with the seropositivity of dogs and cats. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 4.6% (95% CI=3.2-7.4). In canines, 3.67% (95% CI=2.1-6.4) and felines 6.67% (95% CI=3.6-12.18). Kernel density estimation indicated that seropositive cases were concentrated in the southwest region of the city. There was a positive association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in pet animals and their habitat in Commune 2 (adjusted OR=5.84; 95% CI=1.1-30.88). Spearman's correlation coefficients were weakly positive (p=0.32) between the ratio of COVID-19 cases in November 2020 and the results for domestic dogs and cats from the eight communes of Villavicencio. Conclusions: In the present research cats were more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than dogs. This study provides the first positive results of anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA serological tests in domestic dogs and cats in Colombia with information about the virus transmission dynamics in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seroprevalence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in domestic dogs and cats and its relationship with COVID-19 cases in the city of Villavicencio, Colombia

“…The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 4.60% (95% CI = 3.2-7.4). 56 Specifically, in canines the results indicated 3.67% (95% CI = 2.1-6.4), and in felines 6.67% (95% CI = 3.6-12.18) (Table 2). Twenty seropositive individuals (11 canines and 9 domestic felines) were detected through the enzyme immunoassay.…”

“…The possible cross-reactivity and the need to verify if the reactive antibodies are neutralizing for SARS-CoV-2 are the main limitations of our study; likewise, it is advisable to carry out studies of SARS-CoV-2 neutralization from the serum bank obtained, since this is the goldstandard test for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (56). For pre-submission enquiries, contact research@f1000.com…”

“…The survey can be found as Extended data. 56 Immunoassay IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 in the sera of domestic dogs and cats were qualitatively determined using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (ID Screen ® SARS-CoV-2, double antigen multi-species [IDvet, Grabels, France]) according to the manufacturer's instructions. For cats, the kit presents 63% of sensitivity and 96% of specificity.…”

“…https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21271137.v2. 56 This project contains the following underlying data:…”