SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats: assessing their zoonotic potential and role in sustaining the COVID-19 pandemic
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: MRC Centre for Virus Research
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a new coronavirus of animal origin that recently emerged in humans and has spread rapidly across the world. It is likely that SARS-CoV-2 will establish as an endemic virus of humans, which has the potential to lead to infections in animals that live in close proximity to humans. There have been sporadic reports of infections in pet cats in households with COVID-19 patients, which demonstrates that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This means that cats could potentially act as virus reservoirs, or sources of infection for other species. Experimental infections have demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and infected cats are capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to other cats. The virus replicates in the respiratory tract and infectious virus can be detected in nasal washes, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. In addition, traces of the virus have been detected in faeces and occasionally urine. The risk of human-to-cat infection and the potential for the establishment of cats as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. In light of recent reports in The Netherlands and Denmark of SARS-CoV-2 jumping from humans into mink, transmitting between mink and then jumping back into humans, further research is warranted to investigate animals that are susceptible to COVID-19, including domestic pets. In this project we will investigate the susceptibility of domestic cats to SARS-CoV-2 infection and their capacity to transmit the virus to cats and other species as the pandemic progresses. A successful cross-species jump of SARS-CoV-2 from humans into cats not only expands the host range of the virus but might also generate an additional source of infections for humans and other species, which would make the elimination of SARS-CoV-2 more complex. Only by assessing the potential of SARS-CoV-2 viruses isolated from cats to infect other species, including humans, will it be possible to effectively gauge and control virus transmission to all potentially susceptible species.
Publications
Hosie MJ
(2021)
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory samples from cats in the UK associated with human-to-cat transmission.
in The Veterinary record
Hosie MJ
(2021)
Anthropogenic Infection of Cats during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.
in Viruses
Hüttl J
(2024)
Serological and Molecular Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Horses and Cattle in Switzerland from 2020 to 2022.
in Viruses
Jones S
(2023)
SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic UK Cats from Alpha to Omicron: Swab Surveillance and Case Reports.
in Viruses
Manali M
(2022)
SARS-CoV-2 Evolution and Patient Immunological History Shape the Breadth and Potency of Antibody-Mediated Immunity.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Tyson GB
(2023)
SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Cross-Variant Antibody Neutralization in Cats, United Kingdom.
in Emerging infectious diseases
| Description | Human-to-cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs frequently in COVID-19 households. Cats can develop a range of clinical sings, but the majority recover. The risk of transmission can be decreased by pet owners minimising contact with their animals when they have COVID and cats that are ued to having ooutdoor access should be allowed outdoors to decrease the risk of transmission. |
| Exploitation Route | We recognise the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 will establish in new animal reservoirs, with the potential for evolution, spread and emergence of new variants that could be transmitted back to humans. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 presents a rare opportunity to fill current knowledge gaps in our understanding of human-to-animal-to-human transmission events. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-sars-coronavirus-cov-2-and-cats/ |
| Description | Our findings have been used to improve the welfare of cats, and avoided the abandonment of pets. We have allayed the concerns of people who considered that cats might transmit SARS-CoV-2 infection to people. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Data discussed at 48th meeting of SAGE in July 2020 |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Impact | Pets play Ann important role in society, providing mental and physical health benefits to their owners. Our research is important to assess the risk of animals in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, to determine whether it might be important to consider vaccination fo pet animals against SARS-CoV-2 to minimise zoonotic transmission. |
| URL | http://www.abcdcatsvets.org/sars-coronavirus-2-and-cats/ |
| Description | GAP analysis during International Conference on Livestock, Companion Animals and Wildlife Coronaviruses. |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | https://www.star-idaz.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/STAR-IDAZ-Report-of-the-workshops-on-Coronaviru... |
| Description | Provision of advice to the public concerned for their pets' health when their owners have COVID-19 |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Public anxiety decreased following publications of guidelines |
| URL | https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-sars-coronavirus-cov-2-and-cats/ |
| Description | PhD studentship |
| Amount | £90,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Serth and Gates Charitable Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Title | Development of viral pseudotype based systems and expression vectors to analyses neutralsing responses to coronaviruses |
| Description | Viral pseudotypes based on HIV or VSV offer a rapid, sensitive and reproducible means of testing for neutralising antibodies against coronaviral spike proteins. The methods involves the production of codon-optimized spike protein expression constructs and their use to generate HIV or VSV pseudotypes by transient transfection. The pseudotypes are then plated onto appropriate target cells in the presence of serial dilutions of the test serum and luciferase activity quantified. We have generated systems for the study of antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants, seasonal coronaviruses and coronaviruses from other species. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Rapid threat assessment of novel variants for Variant technical Groups informing PHS, UKHSA and WHO, as referenced in technical reports such as: WHO, WHO/BS.2020.2403 Establishment of the WHO International Standard and Reference Panel for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody WHO, Ed. (Geneva, 2020). WHO, WHO/BS/2022.2427: Establishment of the 2nd WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin and Reference Panel for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. (WHO, Geneva, 2022) UKHSA, SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance and assessment: technical briefing 5. (2023). WHO, SARS-CoV-2 variant risk evaluation framework, 30 August 2023. (World Health Organization, Geneva, 2023). |
| Title | Plasma samples from seropositive cats |
| Description | Seropositive plasma samples containing neutralising antibodies against Ancestral, Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Detection of domestic animals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 but no longer testing positive on RT-qPCR |
| Description | Studies on SARS-CoV-2 infections in wild and domestic animals |
| Organisation | University of Zurich |
| Department | Vetsuisse Faculty |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our team conducted assays for neutralising antibodies on samples collected from domestic animals in Swiss COVID-19 households and also from wildlife samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collection of samples and metadata from domestic animals in Swiss COVID-19 households and Swiss wildlife |
| Impact | Kuhlmeier et al, 2023 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Title | Viral pseudotype based tests for neutralising antibodies |
| Description | We are continually developing enhanced methods for the detection of specific virus neutralising antibodies. Wevalidating the assays using field samples and experimental samples from vaccine trials conducted by collaborating partners. The assays are used to detect antibodies that were present at levels below the threshold for detection by existing techniques. |
| Type | Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging |
| Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2024 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | The ability to distinguish specific serological responses is enabling us to screen samples retrospectively for past exposures to diverse viruses. We have used these approaches to investigate morbilliviruses, rhabdoviruses, retroviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses etc. We are constantly updating our diagnostic repertoire enabling us to particiapte in diverse studies of immune function. |
| Description | ABCD guideline on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Guidelines updated to advise veterinary practitioners how best to advise owners concerned about SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-sars-coronavirus-cov-2-and-cats/ |
| Description | INSPIRE Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The first Scottish INSPIRE Sympoium was attended by medical, dental and veterinary undergraduate students from the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews and provided exposure to the range of range topis explored by the students, generating interest in following research careers. Results from a vacation research project on preparing FCV for structural studies were presented by Sora Ogawa and Margaret Hosie (INSPIRE lead for Glasgow) was an organiser, moderator and judge for the Symposium |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/mentoring-and-other-schemes/INSPIRE |
| Description | Interview for National News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Our research in this area attracted widespread media coverage, with may interview requests in July 2020 and April 2021- included interviews by Sky News, BBC, STV, BBC Radio, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Huffiington post, Science Media Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Interview for national radio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviews for radio and press to discuss SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| Description | Lecture to Veterinary Bioscience students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Lecture by Margaret Hosie sparked questions and debate and introduced students to consider research careers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Postgraduate lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivery of postgraduate teaching on taught component of masters degree and laboratory projects on viral immunology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Social media acitvities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Whenever significant progress is made in the research project, our findings are publicised through CVR social media outlets, and through our laboratory twitter account @Animal_Viruses. We direct followers to the source publication, to News articles covering the publication, and to comment articles. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Undergraduate lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The provision of research-led undergraduate lectures on viral immunology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 |