Serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer has been reported from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. This study was conducted to determine whether deer in Texas also had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Archived sera samples collected from deer in Travis County, Texas, during 2018, before and during the pandemic in 2021 were tested for neutralizing antibody to this virus by a standard plaque reduction neutralization assay. SARS-CoV-2 antibody was not detected in 40 deer sera samples collected during 2018, but 37% (20/54) samples collected in 2021 were positive for antibody. The seroprevalence rate between males and females differed significantly ( p < 0.05) and the highest rate (82%) was detected in the 1.5-year-old animals. These findings extended the geographical range of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer in the United States and further confirm that infection was common among this species.
【저자키워드】 antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, white-tailed deer, Texas, 【초록키워드】 neutralizing antibody, pandemic, antibody, SARS-COV-2 infection, Infection, virus, SARS-CoV-2 antibody, sera, male, female, white-tailed deer, deer, United States, New York, Evidence, evidence of, positive, serological evidence, plaque reduction neutralization, highest, tested, collected, significantly, reported, the United State, conducted, determine, 【제목키워드】 white-tailed deer,