Low Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Canine and Feline Serum Samples Collected during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong and Korea

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202301.0250.v1
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16T01:20:12Z
• Authors: Yun Young Go; Maura Carrai; Yan Ru Choi; Christopher J. Br...; Karina W.S. Tam; Pierra Y.T. Law; Fiona Woodhouse; Jane Gray; Ji Hun Kim; Joohyung Park; Chae Won Jeon; Hyomi Jang; Ioannis Magouras; Nicola Decaro; Samuel MS Cheng; Malik Peiris; Julia A. Beatty; Vanessa R. Barrs
• Keywords: Pandemic; Coronavirus

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people worldwide since its emergence in 2019. The current global pandemic was driven by human-to-human transmission. Knowing the zoonotic origin disease and potential capacity virus to adapt other species, it is important understand extent natural SARS-CoV-2 infection animals, particular cats dogs households that are direct contact with their owners. Hong Kong Seoul two most densely-populated urban cities Asia, where companion animals often live close humans. In this study, we screened sera from 1,040 855 during early phase for antibodies using an ELISA detects against receptor binding domain (RBD) viral spike protein. Sera testing positive on were also tested presence neutralizing a surrogate neutralization (sVNT) plaque reduction test (PRNT). Among feline sera, 4.51% 2.54% samples Korea Kong, respectively, positive. However only 1.64% 0.18% sVNT, while 0.41% PRNT. canine samples, 4.94% 6.46% ELISA, 0.29% sVNT no These results confirm low seroprevalence exposure Kong. discordance between RBD-ELISA tests may indicate possible cross-reactivity coronaviruses, especially sera.