Susceptibility and Attenuated Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats.

Bao, Linlin; Song, Zhiqi; Xue, Jing; Gao, Hong; Liu, Jiangning; Wang, Jie; Guo, Qian; Zhao, Binbin et al. · J Infect Dis · 2021

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Domestic cats, an important companion animal, can be infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This has aroused concern regarding the ability of domestic cats to spread the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. We systematically demonstrated the pathogenesis and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in cats. Serial passaging of the virus between cats dramatically attenuated the viral transmissibility, likely owing to variations of the amino acids in the receptor-binding domain sites of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 between humans and cats. These findings provide insight into the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and information for protecting the health of humans and cats.

Medical subject headings