Human-to-dog transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Colombia

Sci Rep. 2022 May 12;12(1):7880. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-11847-9.

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has evolved to have a wide range of hosts, including non-human primates, wild and domestic animals. The ACE2 protein has a high level of conservation and is the common receptor invertebrate species for a viral infection to occur; this receptor could give rise to anthroponotic events. This article describes the first event of symptomatic transmission in Latin America from a human to a dog by the B.1.625 lineage of SARS-CoV-2. We found 21 shared mutations in the complete genomes of viral sequences from owners and dogs. Further phylogenetic and molecular analysis showed that 100% co-localization of the clade helps to understand human-animal transmission. Prediction of the Spike protein structure of the sequenced virus and docking analyzes showed that the E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) could contribute to the viral affinity of dACE2. Therefore, close contact between SARS-CoV-2-infected humans and pets should be avoided to prevent the emergence of novel mutations of public health importance from anthroponotic events.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / metabolism
  • COVID-19*
  • Colombia / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Pandemics
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Binding
  • SARS-CoV-2* / genetics
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2