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Zoonotic spill-over of SARS-CoV-2: mink-adapted virus in humans

Lukasz Rabalski1, Maciej Kosinski1, Natalia Mazur-Panasiuk2

  • 1Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|December 17, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) adapted in mink can spread to humans. This zoonotic spill-over event highlights the risk of animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Zoonotic diseases pose significant public health risks.
  • The potential for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to adapt in animal reservoirs requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the potential for zoonotic spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 from farmed mink to humans.
  • To identify specific SARS-CoV-2 adaptations in mink and their implications for human transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized next-generation sequencing to analyze viral isolates.
  • Employed bioinformatic approaches to identify genetic mutations and track viral adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Identified a mink-adapted SARS-CoV-2 variant with four distinguishing mutations in the S gene (G75V, M177T, Y453F, C1247F).
  • Detected this mink-adapted variant in an asymptomatic human patient, indicating successful zoonotic spill-over.
  • The adaptation in mink persisted for at least three months.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can adapt in farmed mink and subsequently spill over to humans.
  • This study confirms mink-to-human zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords:
MinkSARS-CoV-2Spill-overTransmissionZoonoses

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