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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Environ Res Public Health / Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 In...
International journal of environmental research and public health2022; 19(21); 14391; doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114391

Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Human Hosts in Gujarat, India.

Abstract: Since December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide, triggering one of the most challenging pandemics in the human population. In light of the reporting of this virus in domestic and wild animals from several parts of the world, a systematic surveillance study was conceptualized to detect SARS-CoV-2 among species of veterinary importance. Nasal and/or rectal samples of 413 animals (dogs n= 195, cattle n = 64, horses n = 42, goats n = 41, buffaloes n = 39, sheep n = 19, cats n = 6, camels n = 6, and a monkey n = 1) were collected from different places in the Gujarat state of India. RNA was extracted from the samples and subjected to RT-qPCR-based quantification of the target sequences in viral nucleoprotein (N), spike (S), and ORF1ab genes. A total of 95 (23.79%) animals were found positive, comprised of n = 67 (34.35%) dogs, n= 15 (23.43%) cattle, and n = 13 (33.33%) buffaloes. Whole SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was done from one sample (ID-A4N, from a dog), where 32 mutations, including 29 single-nucleotide variations (SNV) and 2 deletions, were detected. Among them, nine mutations were located in the receptor binding domain of the spike (S) protein. The consequent changes in the amino acid sequence revealed T19R, G142D, E156-, F157-, A222V, L452R, T478K, D614G, and P681R mutations in the S protein and D63G, R203M, and D377Y in the N protein. The lineage assigned to this SARS-CoV-2 sequence is B.1.617.2. Thus, the present study highlights the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from human to animals and suggests being watchful for zoonosis.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-03 PubMed ID: 36361271PubMed Central: PMC9657030DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114391Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research presents a study aimed at detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 among different animal species in Gujarat, India. The animal species tested positive showed signs of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from humans, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding zoonosis.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study being discussed was designed with the purpose to conduct a thorough surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus among different animal species significant to veterinary science. This is due to increasing reports of the virus being found in both domestic and wild animals worldwide.
  • In Gujarat, India, nasal and rectal samples were collected from 413 animals comprised of dogs, cattle, horses, goats, buffaloes, sheep, cats, camels, and a monkey.
  • RNA was extracted from these samples and subjected to RT-qPCR-based quantification process that targeted sequences in different viral genes such as viral nucleoprotein (N), spike (S), and ORF1ab.

Results

  • The study found that 95 animals, constituting about 23.79% of the entire sample, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. This included 67 dogs (34.35%), 15 cattle (23.43%), and 13 buffaloes (33.33%).
  • Further, a full SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was conducted on a sample from a dog. This revealed 32 mutations which included 29 single-nucleotide variations (SNV) and 2 deletions.
  • Out of these, nine mutations were located in the receptor binding domain of the spike (S) protein. The changes in the amino acid sequence revealed numerous mutations in both the S protein and the N protein.

Implications

  • The results of this study suggest successful transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 infection from humans to animals, which underscores the potential concern of zoonosis in the ongoing pandemic.
  • The lineage B.1.617.2 attached to the SARS-CoV-2 sequence indicates the presence of a variant of concern, which is already responsible for a significant number of human cases.

Cite This Article

APA
Kumar D, Antiya SP, Patel SS, Pandit R, Joshi M, Mishra AK, Joshi CG, Patel AC. (2022). Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Human Hosts in Gujarat, India. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(21), 14391. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114391

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 21
PII: 14391

Researcher Affiliations

Kumar, Dinesh
  • Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Sector-11, Gandhinagar 382011, Gujarat, India.
Antiya, Sejalben P
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar Campus, Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar 382010, Gujarat, India.
Patel, Sandipkumar S
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar Campus, Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar 382010, Gujarat, India.
Pandit, Ramesh
  • Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Sector-11, Gandhinagar 382011, Gujarat, India.
Joshi, Madhvi
  • Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Sector-11, Gandhinagar 382011, Gujarat, India.
Mishra, Abhinava K
  • Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Joshi, Chaitanya G
  • Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Sector-11, Gandhinagar 382011, Gujarat, India.
Patel, Arunkumar C
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar Campus, Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar 382010, Gujarat, India.

MeSH Terms

  • Cattle
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Sheep
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • Buffaloes
  • Pandemics
  • Mutation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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