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SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic pathogen able to infect humans, pets and other animal species, mustelids and felids being highly susceptible. Experimentally, it has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently in cats, inducing humoral immunity and causing a variable clinical presentation. Here we report the case of two cats (G1 and G2) naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 after contact with their COVID-19 positive owner diagnosed in September 2020. Oral swabs soaked in PBS were collected daily from 1 to 16 days after the owner tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Urine and feces were taken several times during this period. Samples were analyzed by in-house real-time RT-PCR (based on CDC 2019-nCoV_N1). Serum samples, collected at day 30, were tested by IDVet multi-species ELISA. Vero E6 cells was used for virus isolation. Partial spike gene was sequenced by Sanger and compared with the owner sequence and the reference Wuhan 2019 (NC_045512.2). G1 showed apathy, anorexia, lack of grooming and mild respiratory symptoms (tearing and sneezing) for 5 days and then recovered gradually. G2 remained clinically asymptomatic. Viral RNA peak in oral swabs was detected in both cats at day 2 showing similar Ct value (25). SARS-CoV-2 was consistently shedding in G1 for 9 days, after sporadically detected until day 16. Viral shedding in G2 decreased quickly during the first 6 days. Faeces were positive to SARS-CoV-2 until 9 (G1) or 12 (G2) days post-viral detection. Viral RNA in urine was sporadically detected in G2 with high Ct values. Specific antibodies were detected in both cats one month after infection. Virus isolation was not successful. Cats and owner sequences of the spike protein were homologous with two mutations (A222V and D614G) that classify the virus within the 20A.EU1 clade. SARS-CoV-2 natural infection of two cats occurred after close contact with their infected owner. Both cats developed humoral immune response but they showed different clinical presentation and viral shedding pattern. Oral swabs and feces are proper samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection in cats. Variant 20A.EU1 detected in this study emerged in early summer 2020, presumably in Spain, and subsequently spread throughout Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, which was first reported in humans in 2019, in Wuhan, China. This RNA virus has highly efficient transmission. Sporadic cases of infection in pets have been described. Human to animal transmission seems to occur, however, the epidemiologic role of pets remains unclear. This study aimed to screen dogs and cats from the North and Centre regions of Portugal for the exposure to SARS-CoV-2, during the peak of SARS-CoV-2 human infection in Portugal, which occurred between October 2020 and March 2021. A cross-sectional study was conducted in dogs and cats presented to veterinary medical centres from Portugal between October 2020 and March 2021, that required blood sampling as part of their diagnostic plan. Only surplus sera or plasma samples were used in this research. Sera or plasma were tested for the presence of specific antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2 using a commercial ELISA adapted for multi-species detection (ID Screen SARS-CoV-2Double Antigen Multispecies®, IDVet). Laboratory results were expressed in S/P values and samples with an S/P% ≥ 60% were classified as positive. A total of 107 animals were sampled (dogs n=60; cats n=47). The canine population was composed by 25 purebred and 35 crossbreed dogs, with ages ranging from 5 months to 15 years of age. Cats were mainly of the domestic short-hair breed (n=45), with ages ranging between 6 months and 9 years old. The estimated rate of exposure was of 5.0% (95% CI: 1.71-13.7%) in dogs (n=3) and 2.13% (95% CI: 1.18-14.26%) in cats (n=1). A doubtful result (50≥S/P%<60%) was obtained in 6.7% (95% CI: 2.6-15.9%) of dogs (n=4) and in 4.26% (95% CI: 2.6-15.9%) of cats (n=3). To our best knowledge, this is the first serosurvey conducted in pets in Portugal. An exposure to the agent has been evidenced in dogs and in cats. Further studies must clarify the impact of the exposure in animal health and the role of the pets in spreading the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]