“These preliminary results suggest that a significant proportion of pets in the homes of people with
SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to infect a number ofspecies of animals. However, neither risk factors, nor susceptibility, nor clinical features of infection in different animal species are clearly defined. This study investigated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 shedding and seropositivity in pets whose owners were infected with COVID-19.
People who had pets - a cat,a dog or ferret - and a SARS-CoV-2 infection or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within a 2-week period were invited to have a swab from their pet. If people were outside the two-week window of suspected infectivity, it was suggested to take a blood sample from their pet for serological testing. Swabs from the nose, throat, and rectum were taken for PCR testing to check for current infection in pets, while standard blood antibody ELISA tests were used to detect recent (IgM antibodies) or past infection (IgG antibodies). The results were compared with animal blood collected before December 2019 to act as a control group.
Swabs were taken from 17 cats, 18 dogs and oneferret. All PCR results (for the current infection) were negative, except for results from one cat, which were considered uncertain. Blood samples were taken from 8 cats and 10 dogs. The results showed the presence of IgG or IgM in 4 (50%) and 3 (38%) individual cat samples, respectively. A sample from a cat with uncertain PCR results tested positive for IgM ELISA, indicating that the infection, although not current, is very recent.
“All cats with an undetermined PCR result orwho tested positive for the antibodies were reported to have had respiratory and / or other illnesses of their owners around the time the owner was infected with COVID-19, explains Professor Binzle. - Two (20%) dogs tested positive for IgG antibodies indicating previous infection, and one of them reportedly had an episode of respiratory illness. None of the dogs tested positive for IgM, indicating a more recent infection. "
She concludes: “Although the number of eligible participants was limited by the relatively low rates of human transmission in the study area, these preliminary results suggest that a significant proportion of domestic animals in households of people with COVID-19 develop antibodies. Because of the narrow time window available for detecting current infection in pets, especially if the owner is still sick and isolated, it is preferable to have the animal's blood tested later to check for previous infection to assess human-to-animal transmission. ”
As for taking care of pets,Professor Bienzle recommends that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 stay away not only from other people, but also from their pets. She warns: "There is enough evidence from numerous studies, including ours, to recommend isolating people infected with SARS-CoV-2 from humans and animals."
In the near future, her team will be studying the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in other pet populations.
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