SARS-CoV-2 delta variant infection in domestic dogs and cats, Thailand

Waleemas Jairak; Ekkapat Chamsai; Kitikhun Udom; Kamonpan Charoenkul; Supassama Chaiyawong; Navapon Techakriengkrai; Ratanaporn Tangwangvivat; Kamol Suwannakarn; Alongkorn Amonsin

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-12468-y

SARS-CoV-2 delta variant infection in domestic dogs and cats, Thailand

Sci Rep. 2022 May 19;12(1):8403. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12468-y.

Authors

Waleemas Jairak^{1

2

3}, Ekkapat Chamsai^{1

2}, Kitikhun Udom^{1

2}, Kamonpan Charoenkul^{1

2}, Supassama Chaiyawong^{1

2}, Navapon Techakriengkrai^{1

4}, Ratanaporn Tangwangvivat⁵, Kamol Suwannakarn⁶, Alongkorn Amonsin^{7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, and One Health Cluster, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
² Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
³ Bureau of Research and Conservation, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁵ Coordinating Unit for One Health, Division of Communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
⁶ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁷ Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, and One Health Cluster, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. alongkorn.a@chula.ac.th.
⁸ Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. alongkorn.a@chula.ac.th.

Abstract

In June-September 2021, we investigated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in domestic dogs and cats (n = 225) in Bangkok and the vicinities, Thailand. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in a dog and a cat from COVID-19 positive households. Whole genome sequence analysis identified SARS-CoV-2 delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). Phylogenetic analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 isolated from dog and cat were grouped into sublineage AY.30 and AY.85, respectively. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in both dog (day 9) and cat (day 14) after viral RNA detection. This study raises awareness on spill-over of variant of concern in domestic animals due to human-animal interface. Thus, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic pets should be routinely conducted.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / veterinary
Cat Diseases* / diagnosis
Cat Diseases* / epidemiology
Cats
Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
Dog Diseases* / epidemiology
Dogs
Phylogeny
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
Thailand / epidemiology

Supplementary concepts

SARS-CoV-2 variants