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SARS-COV-2 and coxiella burnetii in female cats from the central region of Portugal
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Abstract(s)
SARS-CoV-2 é o agente patogénico responsável pela atual pandemia COVID-19 que começou em
dezembro de 2019, em Wuhan, China. Até maio de 2021, cerca de 166 milhões de casos e mais de 3
milhões de mortes foram registados mundialmente. Este vírus de genoma RNA tem uma transmissão
humano-a-humano altamente eficiente por meio de disseminação de gotículas respiratórias e aéreas.
A manifestação clínica pode ser ausente ou leve, mas em alguns casos ocorre pneumonia severa. Os
gatos geralmente não apresentam sinais clínicos atuando como hospedeiros silenciosos.
A febre Q é uma zoonose mundial causada pela bactéria Coxiella burnetii. A infeção em humanos é
caracterizada por uma doença febril inespecífica que pode evoluir para quadros mais graves, como
pneumonia e hepatite. Em ruminantes domésticos está associada a alterações reprodutivas,
enquanto que em gatos é muitas vezes assintomática e, portanto, a maioria das infeções passa
despercebida. A febre Q é endémica em Portugal, mas o papel dos gatos na epidemiologia da infeção
não é claro.
Vários estudos demonstraram o potencial zoonótico dos gatos para ambos os agentes patogénicos.
Este estudo teve como objetivo a pesquisa serológica de SARS-CoV-2 e a pesquisa serológica e
molecular de C. burnetii em gatas da região centro litoral de Portugal.
Entre outubro de 2020 e março de 2021, um total de 47 gatas atendidas em centros de atendimento
médico-veterinários no centro litoral de Portugal foram incluídas neste estudo. Amostras excedentes
de soro ou plasma colhidas para realização de exames complementares, foram armazenadas e
posteriormente testadas para a presença de anticorpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 e anti-C. burnetii com o
método de ELISA. Em fêmeas sujeitas ao procedimento cirúrgico de ovariohisterectomia, foram
realizados esfregaços uterinos para deteção molecular de C. burnetii através de PCR.
Em relação ao SARS-CoV-2, a taxa de seropositividade foi 2.1% (IC 95%: 0.4 a 11,1%) (n=1),
correspondente a uma gata de seis meses que apresentou S/P%=62,1%. Foram ainda obtidos dois
resultados duvidosos (4.3%; IC 95%: 1.2 a 14.3%), com valores de S/P%=52,7% e 50,5%.
Relativamente à pesquisa de anticorpos e DNA de C. burnetii, não foram obtidos resultados positivos.
Na amostra estudada, a taxa de exposição em gatas foi considerada baixa para SARS-CoV-2 e
inexistente para C. burnetii. No entanto, os gatos representam uma grande ameaça como agente
zoonótico para humanos, evidenciando a importância da vigilância destes agentes, especialmente
SARS-CoV-2 em gatos com proprietários positivos para COVID-19 e C. burnetii em gatos que
contatem com ruminantes domésticos.
SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. By May 2021, close to 166 million cases and over 3 million deaths were recorded worldwide. This RNA genome virus has highly efficient human-to-human transmission through the dissemination of respiratory and aerial droplets. The clinical manifestation may be absent or mild, but in some cases severe pneumonia occurs. Cats usually do not show clinical signs, therefore may act as silent hosts. Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Infection in humans is characterized by a nonspecific febrile illness that can progress to more severe conditions, such as pneumonia and hepatitis. In domestic ruminants it is associated with reproductive abnormalities, whereas in most cats it displays no symptoms, therefore most infections go unnoticed. Q fever is endemic in Portugal but the role of cats in the epidemiology of the infection is unclear. Several studies have demonstrated the zoonotic potential of cats for both pathogens. The aim of this study was the serological research of SARS-CoV-2 and the serological and molecular research of C. burnetii in female cats from the central coast region of Portugal. Between October 2020 and March 2021, a total of 47 female cats attended in veterinary medical centres in the central coast region of Portugal were enrolled in this study. Surplus serum or plasma samples collected for clinical purposes were stored and subsequently tested for the presence of anti- SARS-CoV-2 and anti-C. burnetii antibodies using the ELISA method. In females submitted to ovariohysterectomy, uterine swabs were collected for molecular detection of C. burnetii. Regarding SARS-CoV-2, the seropositivity rate was 2.1% (95% CI: 0.4 to 11.1%) (n=1), corresponding to a six-month-old cat who displayed a S/P% of 62.1%. Two doubtful results were also obtained (4.3%; 95% CI: 1.2 to 14.3%), with values of S/P%=52.7% and 50.5%. Regarding the investigation of antibodies or DNA of C. burnetii, no positive results were obtained. In the studied sample, the exposure rate in female cats was considered low in SARS-CoV-2 and nonexistent in C. burnetii. Nevertheless, cats still impose a big threat as a zoonotic agent for humans, thus the importance of surveillance of these pathogens. Especially SARS-CoV-2 in cats with COVID-19 positive owners and C. burnetii in cats that have contact with domestic ruminants.
SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. By May 2021, close to 166 million cases and over 3 million deaths were recorded worldwide. This RNA genome virus has highly efficient human-to-human transmission through the dissemination of respiratory and aerial droplets. The clinical manifestation may be absent or mild, but in some cases severe pneumonia occurs. Cats usually do not show clinical signs, therefore may act as silent hosts. Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Infection in humans is characterized by a nonspecific febrile illness that can progress to more severe conditions, such as pneumonia and hepatitis. In domestic ruminants it is associated with reproductive abnormalities, whereas in most cats it displays no symptoms, therefore most infections go unnoticed. Q fever is endemic in Portugal but the role of cats in the epidemiology of the infection is unclear. Several studies have demonstrated the zoonotic potential of cats for both pathogens. The aim of this study was the serological research of SARS-CoV-2 and the serological and molecular research of C. burnetii in female cats from the central coast region of Portugal. Between October 2020 and March 2021, a total of 47 female cats attended in veterinary medical centres in the central coast region of Portugal were enrolled in this study. Surplus serum or plasma samples collected for clinical purposes were stored and subsequently tested for the presence of anti- SARS-CoV-2 and anti-C. burnetii antibodies using the ELISA method. In females submitted to ovariohysterectomy, uterine swabs were collected for molecular detection of C. burnetii. Regarding SARS-CoV-2, the seropositivity rate was 2.1% (95% CI: 0.4 to 11.1%) (n=1), corresponding to a six-month-old cat who displayed a S/P% of 62.1%. Two doubtful results were also obtained (4.3%; 95% CI: 1.2 to 14.3%), with values of S/P%=52.7% and 50.5%. Regarding the investigation of antibodies or DNA of C. burnetii, no positive results were obtained. In the studied sample, the exposure rate in female cats was considered low in SARS-CoV-2 and nonexistent in C. burnetii. Nevertheless, cats still impose a big threat as a zoonotic agent for humans, thus the importance of surveillance of these pathogens. Especially SARS-CoV-2 in cats with COVID-19 positive owners and C. burnetii in cats that have contact with domestic ruminants.
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Keywords
COVID-19 Febre Q ELISA PCR Animais de companhia Q fever Companion animals