Limited cross-species transmission and absence of mutations associated with SARS-CoV-2 adaptation in cats: A case study of infection in a small household setting
- Serafeim C. Chaintoutis
, - Victoria I Siarkou,
- Mathios E Mylonakis,
- George M Kazakos,
- Panagiota-Nefeli Skeva,
- Maria Bampali,
- Marios Dimitriou,
- Nikolaos Dovrolis,
- Zoe S Polizopoulou,
- Ioannis Karakasiliotis,
- Chrysostomos I Dovas
Victoria I Siarkou
School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Mathios E Mylonakis
Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
George M Kazakos
Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Panagiota-Nefeli Skeva
School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Maria Bampali
Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace
Marios Dimitriou
Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace
Nikolaos Dovrolis
Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace
Zoe S Polizopoulou
School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Diagnostic Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Ioannis Karakasiliotis
Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace
Chrysostomos I Dovas
School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Diagnostic Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Abstract
In the present study, the course of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in two asymptomatic cats is investigated. The source of the virus for the cats was their COVID-19-affected owner, with whom they were in continuous proximity, in a small household setting. Oropharyngeal and fecal swabs were collected to investigate the course of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations, as well as the directionality of the chainMay 2022Published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases volume 69 issue 3 on pages 1606-1616. 10.1111/tbed.14132 
