Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in domestics and exotic animals in Southern France

• Published in: Tropical medicine and infectious disease Vol. 8; no. 9; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Tinto, Bachirou, Revel, Justine, Virolle, Laurie, Chenet, Baptiste, Reboul Salze, Florence, Ortega, Alix, Beltrame, Marielle, Simonin, Yannick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland MDPI 25-08-2023; MDPI AG
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies; Antigens; Cats; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Diseases; Dogs; Epidemics; Evaluation; Exotic animals; Human health and pathology; Immunology; Infections; Infectious diseases; Investigations; Life Sciences; Pandemics; Pets; Respiratory diseases; SARS (Disease); SARS-CoV-2; Serology; seroprevalence; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Veins & arteries; Viral antibodies; Viruses; Zoonoses; Zoos; France; China; Virolle, L; Tinto, B; Chenet, B; Reboul Salze, F; seroprevalence; exotic animals; cats; Beltrame, M; Ortega, A; dogs; Revel, J; Simonin, Y SARS-CoV-2; Tinto, B. Revel, J. Virolle, L. Chenet, B. Reboul Salze, F. Ortega, A. Beltrame, M. Simonin, Y SARS-CoV-2 dogs cats exotic animals seroprevalence
• ISSN: 2414-6366; 2414-6366
• DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090426

Since late 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a significant global threat to public health. Responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, this new coronavirus has prompted extensive scientific research to comprehend its transmission dynamics, especially among humans. However, as our understanding deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that SARS-CoV-2's impact goes beyond human populations. Recent investigations have illuminated the transmission of the virus between humans and various animal species, raising important questions about zoonotic spillover events and their potential implications for both human and animal health. Our study set out to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals (dogs and cats) and zoo animals in the south of France in 2021 and 2022, covering pre-Omicron and Omicron waves. We identified evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies not only in domestic dogs and cats but also in several mammals in zoos. This study shows the importance of implementing surveillance measures, including serological studies, to identify and monitor cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals.