Author:
Fusco Giovanna,Cardillo Lorena,Levante Martina,Brandi Sergio,Picazio Gerardo,Napoletano Michele,Martucciello Alessandra,Fiorito Filomena,De Carlo Esterina,de Martinis Claudio
Abstract
AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late December 2019 and spread worldwide, quickly becoming a pandemic. This zoonotic coronavirus shows a broad host range, including wildlife and domestic animals. Small ruminants are shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 but, to date, no natural infection has been reported. Herein, we performed a survey for SARS-CoV-2 among sheep and goats in the Campania region of Italy using an indirect multispecies ELISA. Next, positive sera were submitted to virus serum neutralization for the quantification of specific neutralizing antibodies. Out of 612 sheep and goats, 23 were found ELISA positive (3.75%) and 1 of them showed 1:20 neutralizing antibodies titer. No significant difference was found between the two species, as well as between male and female, geographical location and age. Our findings demonstrate that natural infection can occur in flocks in a field situation. Moreover, low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is reported for sheep and goats, nevertheless, the continuous mutations of this virus open new scenarios on viral host range and tropism, highlighting the importance of investigating animal species that could represent ongoing or future possible hosts.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Veterinary,General Medicine
Reference38 articles.
1. Bosco-Lauth AM, Walker A, Guilbert L, Porter S, Hartwig A, McVicker E, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Bowen RA (2021) Susceptibility of livestock to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Emerg Microbes Infect 10(1):2199–2201. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2021.2003724
2. Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Brandi S, Levante M, Cozzolino L, Spadari L, Boccia F, Carbone C, Pompameo M, Fusco G (2022) SARS-CoV-2 serological and biomolecular analyses among Companion Animals in Campania Region (2020–2021). Microorganisms 10(2):263. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10020263
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022) COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions. Up-dated Apr. 26, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-classifications.html. Accessed 19 July 2022
4. Cerino P, Buonerba C, Brambilla G, Atripaldi L, Tafuro M, Concilio DD, Vassallo L, Conte GL, Cuomo MC, Maiello I, D’Auria J, Cardinale D, Viscardi M, Rofrano G, Gallo A, Brusco P, Pizzolante A, Cicalese V, Galdi P, Galdi L, Vita S, Volzone P, Vuolo GD, Coppola A, Pierri B, Fusco G (2021) No detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals exposed to infected keepers: results of a COVID-19 surveillance program. Future Sci OA 7:FSO711
5. Chen Y, Guo Y, Pan Y, Zhao ZJ (2020) Structure analysis of the receptor binding of 2019-nCoV. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 525(1):135–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.02.071