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. 2022 Jan;22(1):62-64.
doi: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0094. Epub 2021 Dec 10.

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in White-Tailed Deer from Texas

Pedro M Palermo  1 , Jeanette Orbegozo  1 , Douglas M Watts  1 , John C Morrill  2
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in White-Tailed Deer from Texas

Pedro M Palermo et al. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer has been reported from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. This study was conducted to determine whether deer in Texas also had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Archived sera samples collected from deer in Travis County, Texas, during 2018, before and during the pandemic in 2021 were tested for neutralizing antibody to this virus by a standard plaque reduction neutralization assay. SARS-CoV-2 antibody was not detected in 40 deer sera samples collected during 2018, but 37% (20/54) samples collected in 2021 were positive for antibody. The seroprevalence rate between males and females differed significantly (p < 0.05) and the highest rate (82%) was detected in the 1.5-year-old animals. These findings extended the geographical range of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer in the United States and further confirm that infection was common among this species.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Texas; antibodies; white-tailed deer.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicting financial interests exist.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in white-tailed deer by age in Travis County during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types

Supplementary concepts