Susceptibility of livestock to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2021 Dec;10(1):2199-2201. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2021.2003724.

Abstract

We report pilot studies to evaluate the susceptibility of common domestic livestock (cattle, sheep, goat, alpaca, rabbit, and horse) to intranasal infection with SARS-CoV-2. None of the infected animals shed infectious virus via nasal, oral, or faecal routes, although viral RNA was detected in several animals. Further, neutralizing antibody titres were low or non-existent one month following infection. These results suggest that domestic livestock are unlikely to contribute to SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; alpaca; cattle; goat; horse; livestock; rabbit; sheep.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / veterinary*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Camelids, New World / virology
  • Cattle / virology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Goats / virology
  • Horses / virology
  • Host Specificity* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Livestock / virology*
  • Nasal Cavity / virology
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Rabbits / virology
  • Rectum / virology
  • Respiratory System / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity*
  • Sheep / virology
  • Species Specificity
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Shedding
  • Viscera / virology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral