Anthropogenic Infection of Domestic Cats With SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant B.1.1.7 Lineage in Buenos Aires

PECORA, ANDREA; MALACARI, DARIO AMILCAR; MOZGOVOJ, MARINA VALERIA; DÍAZ, MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES; PERALTA, ANDREA VERÓNICA; CACCIABUE, MARCO; PUEBLA, ANDREA FABIANA; CARUSSO, CRISTIAN; MUNDO, SILVIA LEONOR; GONZALEZ LOPEZ LEDESMA, MARÍA MORA; GAMARNIK, ANDREA VANESA; RINALDI, OSVALDO; VIDAL, OSVALDO; MAS, JAVIER; DUS SANTOS, MARÍA JOSÉ

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

FRONTIERS

Año: 2022 vol. 9

SARS-CoV-2 reverse zoonosis, particularly to domestic animals, and the potential roleof infected animals in perpetuating the spread of the virus is an issue of increasingconcern. In this case report, we identified the natural infection of two cats by SARSCoV-2, in Argentina, whose owner had been previously infected by SARS-CoV-2. Viralgenetic material was detected in feline oropharyngeal (OP) and rectal (R) swab by RTqPCR, and sequence analysis revealed that the virus infecting the owner and one catwere genetically similar. The alpha variant (B.1.1.7 lineage) was identified with a uniqueadditional mutation, strongly suggesting human-to-cat route of transmission. This studyreinforces the One Health concept and the importance of integrating human, animal, andenvironmental perspectives to promptly address relevant health issues