High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets from COVID-19+ households

Abstract

In a survey of household cats and dogs of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients, we found a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, ranging from 21% to 53%, depending on the positivity criteria chosen. Seropositivity was significantly greater among pets from COVID-19+ households compared to those with owners of unknown status. Our results highlight the potential role of pets in the spread of the epidemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Luminex; Neutralization assay; One health; Pets; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

Fig. 1

High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in COVID19+ household pets. Serological evaluation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets from unknown status and COVID19+ households. COVID19+ households had at least one COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed person (Green). Unknown status households were those with no confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected person (Black). Control include pre-pandemic population (Grey) and FIPV infected cats (Brown). a: Anti-N antibody levels. b: Anti-S1 antibody levels. c: Anti-S2 antibody levels. SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody levels were assessed using MIAs and expressed as Relative Fluorescence Intensities (RFI) to control antigen. A pre-pandemic population was used to determine the cut-off (mean + 3*standard deviation). d: Percentage of neutralizing activity in pet sera. Neutralizing activity was assessed using a pseudoparticle assay and expressed as the percent neutralization relative to a no serum condition. For a,b,c,d mean line are presented. e: Prevalence based on positive anti-N, anti-S1, anti-S2, and seroneutralization tests in COVID19+ and unknown status households. 95% confidence interval are presented (± 95% confidence intervals). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)