Naslov
Investigating the Presence of SARS CoV-2 in Free-Living and Captive Animals

Autori
Jemeršić, Lorena ; Lojkić, Ivana ; Krešić, Nina ; Keros, Tomislav ; Zelenika, Tajana A. ; Jurinović, Luka ; Skok, Damir ; Bata, Ingeborg ; Boras, Jadranko ; Habrun, Boris ; Brnić, Dragan

Izvornik
Pathogens (2076-0817) 10 (2021), 6; 635, 12

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
SARS CoV-2 ; serology ; RNA detection ; free-living wild animals ; zoo animals

Sažetak
Due to SARS CoV-2 recombination rates, number of infected people and recent reports of environmental contamination, the possibility of SARS CoV-2 transmission to animals can be expected. We tested samples of dominant free-living and captive wildlife species in Croatia for the presence of anti-SARS CoV-2 antibodies and viral RNA. In total, from June 2020 until February 2021, we tested blood, muscle extract and fecal samples of 422 free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and jackals (Canis aureus) ; blood and cloacal swabs of 111 yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) and fecal samples of 32 zoo animals. A commercially available ELISA (ID.Vet, France) and as a confirmatory test, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT ; GenScript, Netherlands) were used. Fecal samples were tested for the presence of viral RNA by a real-time RT–PCR protocol. Fifteen out of 533 (2.8%) positive ELISA results were detected ; in wild boars (3.9%), red foxes (2.9%) and jackals (4.6%). However, the positive findings were not confirmed by sVNT. No viral RNA was found. In conclusion, no spillover occurred within the investigated period (second COVID-19 wave). However, further investigation is needed, especially regarding wildlife sample features for serological tests.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita, Veterinarska medicina

Napomena
File:///C:/Users/Jemersic/AppData/Local/Temp/pathogens-10-00635-v2-1.pdf

POVEZANOST RADA