Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
10:08

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

Published on: February 17, 2018

13.7K

Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cat with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Francisco R Carvallo1, Mathias Martins2, Lok R Joshi2

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.

Viruses
|August 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A domestic cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) experienced severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing lung and heart lesions similar to human COVID-19 cases. This highlights how comorbidities impact animal infections and aids in developing feline models for severe COVID-19 research.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic with significant human mortality.
  • Underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes in humans.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common cardiac condition in domestic cats and a known comorbidity in human COVID-19 patients.

Observation:

  • A domestic cat (Felis catus) with pre-existing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presented with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • The affected cat's lungs and heart exhibited clear evidence of SARS-CoV-2 replication.
  • Histopathological examination revealed lesions in the cat's organs consistent with those seen in human COVID-19 cases.

Findings:

  • High infectious viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were recovered from the lung and heart tissues of the infected cat.
  • The feline case demonstrated significant viral replication and pathological changes mirroring severe human COVID-19.
  • The presence of HCM as a comorbidity potentially influenced the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cat.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical role of comorbidities in determining the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals.
  • It provides valuable insights for understanding the impact of pre-existing conditions on viral disease progression.
  • The study suggests the potential utility of a feline model, particularly cats with HCM, for studying severe COVID-19 clinical outcomes in humans.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2catcomorbidityhypertrophic cardiomyopathy

More Related Videos

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model03:45

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model

Published on: August 8, 2022

3.8K
Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction08:31

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Published on: July 26, 2018

10.3K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
97
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
84
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
121
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
69
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
131
Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management01:29

Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management

Assessment: Nursing management of patients with cardiomyopathy begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's history, including a family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, personal history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and any alcohol consumption or drug use.During the physical examination, assess vital signs, look for signs of heart failure (such as edema, jugular venous distention, and cyanosis), auscultate for abnormal heart sounds (like murmurs and gallops),...
80