Domestic animals as potential vectors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Abstract: "The recent emergence and the rapid pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 pose a global health emergency. The origin of the virus has not been fully investigated so far. It is assumed that horseshoe bats harboring progeny coronaviruses serve as the natural reservoir host, while pangolins may serve as intermediate host. However, information on potential permissive animal species is largely lacking. Given the frequent and close contact between humans and domestic animals, is it important to elucidate whether animals such as dogs, cats or ferrets and livestock, especially cattle and pigs, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and might promote viral dissemination among animals and humans. Indeed, there is already circumstantial evidence that dogs might become infected by SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, this project will employ primary cells obtained from the upper and lower respiratory tract of a variety of domestic animals to determine permissiveness to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies will include mode of entry and spread and pathogenetic mechanisms using molecular and microscopic analyses. The results will facilitate risk assessment and prevention of potential interspecies transmission."; Research Type: discovery; Study population: domestic animals (cats, dogs) and farm animals (bovine animals, pigs)