AUTHOR=Pecora Andrea , Malacari Dario Amilcar , Mozgovoj Marina Valeria , Díaz María de los Ángeles , Peralta Andrea Verónica , Cacciabue Marco , Puebla Andrea Fabiana , Carusso Cristian , Mundo Silvia Leonor , Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma María Mora , Gamarnik Andrea Vanesa , Rinaldi Osvaldo , Vidal Osvaldo , Mas Javier , Dus Santos María José 

TITLE=Anthropogenic Infection of Domestic Cats With SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant B.1.1.7 Lineage in Buenos Aires

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.790058

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.790058

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=SARS-CoV-2 reverse zoonosis, particularly to domestic animals, and the potential role of infected animals on perpetuating the spread of the disease is an issue of increasing concern.
In this report, we identified the natural infection of two cats by SARS-CoV-2 in Argentina. The feline oropharyngeal (OP) and rectal (R) swab samples were processed by RT-qPCR revealing the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. The owner of the cat had reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples from the owner and the cat were taken and sequenced to define the viral origin.  The Alpha variant (B.1.1.7 lineage) was identified, including a unique additional mutation in both the human and feline samples, confirming human-to-cat transmission.
This study reinforce the One Health concept and the importance of integrating human, animal and environmental perspectives to promptly address relevant health issues.