Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland
In human beings, there are five reported variants of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, in contrast to human beings, descriptions of infections of animals with specific variants are still rare. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate...
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/245 |
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| author | Evelyn Kuhlmeier Tatjana Chan Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí Barbara Willi Aline Wolfensberger Christian Beisel Ivan Topolsky Niko Beerenwinkel Tanja Stadler Swiss SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Consortium Sarah Jones Grace Tyson Margaret J. Hosie Katja Reitt Julia Hüttl Marina L. Meli Regina Hofmann-Lehmann |
| author_facet | Evelyn Kuhlmeier Tatjana Chan Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí Barbara Willi Aline Wolfensberger Christian Beisel Ivan Topolsky Niko Beerenwinkel Tanja Stadler Swiss SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Consortium Sarah Jones Grace Tyson Margaret J. Hosie Katja Reitt Julia Hüttl Marina L. Meli Regina Hofmann-Lehmann |
| author_sort | Evelyn Kuhlmeier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In human beings, there are five reported variants of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, in contrast to human beings, descriptions of infections of animals with specific variants are still rare. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive owners (“COVID-19 households”) with a focus on the Delta variant. Samples, obtained from companion animals and their owners were analyzed using a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Animals were also tested for antibodies and neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. Eleven cats and three dogs in nine COVID-19-positive households were RT-qPCR and/or serologically positive for the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. For seven animals, the genetic sequence could be determined. The animals were infected by one of the pangolin lineages B.1.617.2, AY.4, AY.43 and AY.129 and between zero and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected between the viral genomes of animals and their owners, indicating within-household transmission between animal and owner and in multi-pet households also between the animals. NGS data identified SNPs that occur at a higher frequency in the viral sequences of companion animals than in viral sequences of humans, as well as SNPs, which were exclusively found in the animals investigated in the current study and not in their owners. In conclusion, our study is the first to describe the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant transmission to animals in Switzerland and provides the first-ever description of Delta-variant pangolin lineages AY.129 and AY.4 in animals. Our results reinforce the need of a One Health approach in the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in animals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:01:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e58b5f203da4fd5a3f138f3443f031a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:01:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e58b5f203da4fd5a3f138f3443f031a2023-12-01T01:13:54ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152023-01-0115124510.3390/v15010245Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in SwitzerlandEvelyn Kuhlmeier0Tatjana Chan1Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí2Barbara Willi3Aline Wolfensberger4Christian Beisel5Ivan Topolsky6Niko Beerenwinkel7Tanja Stadler8Swiss SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Consortium9Sarah Jones10Grace Tyson11Margaret J. Hosie12Katja Reitt13Julia Hüttl14Marina L. Meli15Regina Hofmann-Lehmann16Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandClinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandClinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, SwitzerlandSchool of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UKSchool of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UKMRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UKCenter for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, SwitzerlandCenter for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, SwitzerlandClinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandClinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandIn human beings, there are five reported variants of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, in contrast to human beings, descriptions of infections of animals with specific variants are still rare. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive owners (“COVID-19 households”) with a focus on the Delta variant. Samples, obtained from companion animals and their owners were analyzed using a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Animals were also tested for antibodies and neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. Eleven cats and three dogs in nine COVID-19-positive households were RT-qPCR and/or serologically positive for the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. For seven animals, the genetic sequence could be determined. The animals were infected by one of the pangolin lineages B.1.617.2, AY.4, AY.43 and AY.129 and between zero and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected between the viral genomes of animals and their owners, indicating within-household transmission between animal and owner and in multi-pet households also between the animals. NGS data identified SNPs that occur at a higher frequency in the viral sequences of companion animals than in viral sequences of humans, as well as SNPs, which were exclusively found in the animals investigated in the current study and not in their owners. In conclusion, our study is the first to describe the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant transmission to animals in Switzerland and provides the first-ever description of Delta-variant pangolin lineages AY.129 and AY.4 in animals. Our results reinforce the need of a One Health approach in the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in animals.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/245SARS-CoV-2Deltavariant of concernAY.129AY.43AY.4 |
| spellingShingle | Evelyn Kuhlmeier Tatjana Chan Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí Barbara Willi Aline Wolfensberger Christian Beisel Ivan Topolsky Niko Beerenwinkel Tanja Stadler Swiss SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Consortium Sarah Jones Grace Tyson Margaret J. Hosie Katja Reitt Julia Hüttl Marina L. Meli Regina Hofmann-Lehmann Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland Viruses SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern AY.129 AY.43 AY.4 |
| title | Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland |
| title_full | Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland |
| title_short | Detection and Molecular Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and the Specific Immune Response in Companion Animals in Switzerland |
| title_sort | detection and molecular characterization of the sars cov 2 delta variant and the specific immune response in companion animals in switzerland |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern AY.129 AY.43 AY.4 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/245 |
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