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Cats and SARS-CoV-2: A Scoping Review.
1University College Venlo, Maastricht University, Nassaustraat 36, 5911 BV Venlo, The Netherlands.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|June 10, 2022
Summary
Cats can get infected with the virus causing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), but they appear to play a minor role in its spread. Current evidence suggests no widespread circulation of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic cats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has demonstrated the susceptibility of various animal species.
- Close human-cat contact necessitates understanding the role of domestic cats in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 in cats.
- To identify key concepts, research types, and knowledge gaps concerning feline susceptibility and transmission.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, medRxiv, and bioRxiv.
- A two-step screening process identified 27 peer-reviewed articles, 8 scientific communications, and 2 pre-prints for inclusion.
Main Results:
- Key themes included feline susceptibility, immunity, infection prevalence, clinical signs, and human-to-cat (reverse zoonotic) and cat-to-cat transmission.
- Identified research gaps include a lack of large-scale studies, underrepresentation of stray/feral/shelter cats, and limited data on non-experimental cat-to-cat transmission.
Conclusions:
- Cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, with reverse zoonotic transmission from humans being documented.
- Despite susceptibility, cats appear to play a limited role in SARS-CoV-2 spread, with no evidence of sustained circulation within cat populations currently available.
