Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High rate of COVID-19 antibodies in Lebanese cats and dogs
By Khalife, Sara & Abdallah, Marwan·Published in Research in veterinary science·2023·Department of Medical Laboratory Technology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household cats and dogs of Lebanon.
Plain-English summary
A study found that 19% of dogs and nearly 14% of cats in Lebanon tested positive for antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19. This means these pets had been exposed to the virus, although there is no evidence that they can spread it to humans. The research showed that younger animals and those tested during the colder months were more likely to have these antibodies. Pet owners who are sick with COVID-19 are advised to limit contact with their pets to reduce any potential risk.
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been declared in late 2019. It is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Flu-like symptoms and acute respiratory illnesses are the main manifestations of the disease. Recent studies have confirmed the susceptibility of domestic animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in household pets and the importance of pets in the epidemiology of this infection remain unknown. In Lebanon, there is no epidemiological data regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals. Thus, this investigation aimed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household pets of Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2020 and February 2021. Blood samples from 145 cats and 180 dogs were collected from 12 veterinary clinics located in the North, Mount, and Beirut governorates. A validated ELISA assay was used to detect the anti- SARS-CoV-2 in the sera of the tested animals. An overall seroprevalence of 16.92% (55/325) was reported; 13.79% seroprevalence was found in cats (20/145) and 19.44% (35/180) in dogs. The young age and the cold season were significantly associated with an increased seropositivity rate to SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.01). These results confirm the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in household pets, in various geographical regions in Lebanon. Although, there is a lack of evidence to suggest that naturally infected pets could transmit the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Yet, owners diagnosed with COVID-19 should limit their contact with their animals during the course of the disease to curb the risk of transmission.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36842247/