Prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in domestic cats (Felis catus) during COVID‐19 pandemic in Latvia

Background The causative agent of the COVID‐19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is of zoonotic origin and has shown reverse zoonotic transmissibility. Objectives The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the domestic cat (Felis catus) population from Latvia in natural conditions and subsequently perform viral genome analysis. Methods Oropharyngeal and rectal swabs and blood samples were collected from 273 domestic cats during the second wave of COVID‐19 infection in Latvia. Molecular prevalence was determined by using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Serum samples were analysed via double antigen enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay targeting the antibody against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS‐CoV‐2. Positive swab samples were analysed using whole viral genome sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome sequencing data of the samples was performed. Results The overall SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR positivity and seroprevalence was 1.1% (3/273) and 2.6% (7/273), respectively. The SARS‐CoV‐2 genome sequences from three RT‐PCR positive cats were assigned to the three common lineages (PANGOLIN lineage S.1.; B.1.177.60. and B.1.1.7.) circulating in Latvia during the particular period of time. Conclusions These findings indicate that feline infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 occurred during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Latvia, yet the overall prevalence was low. In addition, it seems like no special ‘cat’ pre‐adaptations were necessary for successful infection of cats by the common lineages of SARS‐CoV‐2. During COVID‐19 pandemic in Latvia oropharyngeal and rectal swabs, and blood samples were collected from 273 domestic cats from COVID‐19 positive households, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. The overall SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR positivity and seroprevalence in cats was 1.1% (3/273) and 2.6% (7/273), respectively. The SARS‐CoV‐2 genome sequences from the three RT‐PCR positive cats were assigned to the three common lineages (PANGOLIN lineage S.1.; B.1.177.60. and B.1.1.7.).