Potential SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility of Cetaceans Stranded along the Italian Coastline

• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101096
• Publication Date: 2022-09-26T07:34:17Z
• Authors: Tania Audino; Elena Berrone; Carla Grattarola; Federica Giorda; Virginia Mattioda; Walter Martelli; Antonio Pintore; Giuliana Terracciano; Cristiano Cocumelli; Giuseppe Lucifora; Fabio Di Nocera; Gabriella Di Fran...; Ludovica Di Renzo; Silva Rubini; Stefano Gavaudan; Anna Toffan; Roberto Puleio; Dashzeveg Bold; Francesco Brunelli; Maria Goria; Antonio Petrella; Maria Caramelli; Cristiano Corona; Sandro Mazzariol; Juergen A. Richt; Giovanni Di Guardo; Cristina Casalone
• Keywords: Immunofluorescence

Due to marine mammals' demonstrated susceptibility SARS-CoV-2, based upon the homology level of their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) viral receptor with human one, alongside global SARS-CoV-2 occurrence and fecal contamination river ecosystems, infection may be plausibly expected occur also in cetaceans, special emphasis on inshore species like bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Moreover, immune inflammatory responses humans, macrophages could play an important role antiviral defense mechanisms. In order provide a more in-depth insight into mammals, we evaluated presence expression ACE2 pan-macrophage marker CD68. Aliquots tissue samples, belonging cetaceans stranded along Italian coastline during 2020-2021, were collected for analysis by real-time PCR (RT-PCRT) (N = 43) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) 59); thirty-two aliquots pulmonary sample 17 Tursiops truncatus, N 15 Stenella coeruleoalba) available at Mediterranean Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (MMMTB) University Padua (Legnaro, Padua, Italy) analyzed investigate IHC. addition, CD68 investigated Double-Labeling Immunofluorescence (IF) Confocal Laser Microscopy. No positivity was found samples survey while protein detected lower respiratory tract albeit heterogeneously age, gender/sex, species, suggesting that can vary between different lung regions among individuals. Finally, double IF showed elevated colocalization only when evident reaction present, such as infection.