Susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing the global coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, remains a mystery. Current evidence suggests a likely spillover into humans from an animal reservoir. Understanding the host range and identifying animal species that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection may help to elucidate the origin of the virus and the mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission to humans. Here we demonstrated that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), an animal species in which the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – the SARS-CoV-2 receptor – shares a high degree of similarity to humans, are highly susceptible to infection. Intranasal inoculation of deer fawns with SARS-CoV-2 resulted in established subclinical viral infection and shedding of infectious virus in nasal secretions. Notably, infected animals transmitted the virus to non-inoculated contact deer. Viral RNA was detected in multiple tissues 21 days post-inoculation (pi). All inoculated and indirect contact animals seroconverted and developed neutralizing antibodies as early as day 7 pi. The work provides important insights into the animal host range of SARS-CoV-2 and identifies white-tailed deer as a susceptible wild animal species to the virus.IMPORTANCEGiven the presumed zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2, the human-animal-environment interface of COVID-19 pandemic is an area of great scientific and public- and animal-health interest. Identification of animal species that are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 may help to elucidate the potential origin of the virus, identify potential reservoirs or intermediate hosts, and define the mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission to humans. Additionally, it may also provide information and help to prevent potential reverse zoonosis that could lead to the establishment of a new wildlife hosts. Our data show that upon intranasal inoculation, white-tailed deer became subclinically infected and shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 in nasal secretions and feces. Importantly, indirect contact animals were infected and shed infectious virus, indicating efficient SARS-CoV-2 transmission from inoculated animals. These findings support the inclusion of wild cervid species in investigations conducted to assess potential reservoirs or sources of SARS-CoV-2 of infection.

Monitoring of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in mustelids

“…Susceptibility to SARS‐CoV‐2, with varying levels of viral replication and shedding, has been demonstrated in Carnivora: American mink domestic cats ( Felis catus ) dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), ferrets, raccoon dogs; Rodentia: Syrian hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ); primates: rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ), cynomolgus macaques ( M. fascicularis ), African green monkeys ( Chlorocebus sp. ), common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ); Scandentia: Chinese tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeri chinensis ); Chiroptera: Egyptian fruit bats ( Rousettus aegyptiacus ), and Lagomorpha: rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ); ungulates: white‐tailed deer (Delahay et al., 2020; Freuling et al., 2020; Shuai et al., 2020; Palmer et al., 2021).…”

Predicting the zoonotic capacity of mammals to transmit SARS-CoV-2

“…Additional species in the top 10% of predictions that are commonly hunted include duiker (Cephalophus zebra, West Africa), warty pig (Sus celebes, Southeast Asia), and two species of deer (Odocoileus hemionus and O. virginianus) that are widespread across the Americas. The white-tailed deer (O. hemionus) was recently confirmed capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to conspecifics via indirect contact (aerosolized virus particles) (Palmer et al, 2021). Bats.…”

Zoonotic and Reverse Zoonotic Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2

“…Experimental infections of SARS‐CoV‐2 were conducted in ferrets, domestic cats, raccoon dogs, Egyptian fruit bats ( Rousettus aegyptiacus ), Syrian hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ), Chinese hamsters ( Cricetulus griseus ), Roborovski's dwarf hamster ( Phodopus roborovskii ), deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), bushy-tailed woodrats ( Neotoma cinerea ), striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ), New Zealand white rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), mice ( Mus musculus ), Northern tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeris ), white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), bank voles ( Myodes glareolus ), rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ), crab‐eating macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ), African green monkeys ( Chlorocebus aethiops ), baboon ( Papio hamadryas ), common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ), and cattle ( Bos taurus ) ( Bertzbach et al, 2020 ; Bosco-Lauth et al, 2021 ; Freuling et al, 2020 ; Imai et al, 2020 ; Jo et al, 2020 ; Lu et al, 2020b ; Montagutelli et al; Muñoz-Fontela et al, 2020 ; Mykytyn et al, 2021 ; Palmer et al, 2021 ; Singh et al, 2021 ; Temmam et al, 2020 ; Trimpert et al, 2020 ; Ulrich et al, 2021 ; Ulrich et al, 2020 ). These animals demonstrated viral replication and RNA shedding in the respiratory tract and to a lesser extent or no shedding in the gastrointestinal tract, development of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibody responses, and histopathological signs of moderate inflammation in infected respiratory tissue ( Chiba et al, 2021 ; Freuling et al, 2020 ; Jo et al, 2020 ; Muñoz-Fontela et al, 2020 ).…”

“…These animals demonstrated viral replication and RNA shedding in the respiratory tract and to a lesser extent or no shedding in the gastrointestinal tract, development of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibody responses, and histopathological signs of moderate inflammation in infected respiratory tissue ( Chiba et al, 2021 ; Freuling et al, 2020 ; Jo et al, 2020 ; Muñoz-Fontela et al, 2020 ). Domestic cats, ferrets, Syrian hamsters, deer mice, and white-tailed deer were found to be susceptible and able to readily transmit the virus to co‐housed animals ( Bosco-Lauth et al, 2020 ; Chan et al, 2020 ; Gaudreault et al, 2020 ; Griffin et al, 2020 ; Halfmann et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2020 ; Palmer et al, 2021 ; Richard et al, 2020 ; Schlottau et al, 2020 ; Sia et al, 2020 ). However, upon re-infection, cats do not appear to shed the virus at levels sufficient enough for the transmission to co-housed naïve cats ( Gaudreault et al, 2021 ).…”