The first reports of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic and wild animals, together with the rapid emergence of new variants, have created serious concerns regarding a possible spillback from animal hosts, which could accelerate the evolution of new viral strains. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both owned and stray pets. A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations. No viral RNA was detected, while anti-N antibodies were observed in six animals (1.3%), one dog (0.8%) and five cats (1.7%). Animals’ background revealed that owned cats, living with owners with COVID-19, showed significantly different prevalence compared to stray ones ( p = 0.0067), while no difference was found among dogs. Among the seropositive pets, three owned cats also showed moderate neutralizing antibody titers. Pets and other species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection because of the spike affinity towards their ACE2 cellular receptor. Nevertheless, the risk of retransmission remains unclear since pet-to-human transmission has never been described. Due to the virus’ high mutation rate, new reservoirs cannot be excluded; thus, it is reasonable to test pets, mostly if living in households affected by COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, serology, Surveillance, dog, cat, real-time RT-PCR, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, Evolution, ACE2, SARS-COV-2 infection, risk, Transmission, RT-PCR, variants, Prevalence, animal hosts, Viral RNA, serological, moderate, seropositive, wild animals, viral strains, neutralizing antibody titers, no difference, high mutation rate, reservoir, transmission of SARS-CoV-2, cellular receptor, susceptible, FIVE, tested, described, affected, collected, significantly, accelerate, anti-N antibody, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 Region, animal, Campania,