Cross-sectional serological survey of companion animals kept by owners infected with SARS-CoV-2, Italy
To detect antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a serological survey was conducted in Italian dogs and cats, showing that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was higher in cats (16.2%) than in dogs (2.3%). Furthermore, seroprevalence was higher among animals in close contact with SARS-CoV-2 positive owners.
Colitti B, Bertolotti L, Mannelli A, Ferrara G, Vercelli A, GrassiA, et al. Cross-sectional serological survey of companion animals kept by owners infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Italy. Emerg InfectDis. July 2021 [date cited]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2707.203314
Commentary
In this study, antibodies were detected in pets living with owners infected with SARS-CoV-2. The results, as mentioned above, confirmed that cats are susceptible to the infection. Unlike previous studies, this cross-sectional study did not allow us to draw any conclusions about the direction of the viral infection.
However, the serum results indicate that the acquisition of antibodies in pets is due to infection from their owners, based on the length of exposure and lifestyle with their owners. Therefore, it is necessary to consider measures to be taken against pets of infected owners.
There is a lot of information on human infection, antibodies, and vaccinations, but we should also pay attention to the pets we own.
