VetSRev
Database of veterinary systematic reviews
Database of veterinary systematic reviews
Veterinary Quarterly (2021) 41: 250–267
DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2021.1970280
COVID-19 pandemic is essentially a zoonotic disease. In this context, early in 2020, transmission from humans to certain animals began reporting; the number of studies has grown since. To estimate the pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals and to determine differences in prevalence between countries, years, animal types and diagnostic methods (RT-PCR or serological tests). A systematic literature review with meta-analysis using eight databases. Observational studies were included but analyzed separately. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for prevalence studies and case series. After the screening, 65 reports were selected for full-text assessment and included for qualitative and quantitative analyses. A total of 24 reports assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, combining a total of 321,785 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 12.3% (95% CI 11.6%-13.0%). Also, a total of 17 studies additionally assessed serological response against SARS-CoV-2, including nine by ELISA, four by PRTN, one by MIA, one by immunochromatography (rest, two studies, the method was not specified), combining a total of 5319 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 29.4% (95% CI 22.9%-35.9%). A considerable proportion of animals resulted infected by SARS-CoV-2, ranking minks among the highest value, followed by dogs and cats. Further studies in other animals are required to define the extent and importance of natural infection due to SARS-CoV-2. These findings have multiple implications for public human and animal health. One Health approach in this context is critical for prevention and control.
Bonilla-Aldana, D. K., Garcia-Barco, A., Jimenez-Diaz, S. D., Bonilla-Aldana, J. L., Cardona-Trujillo, M. C., Munoz-Lara, F., Zambrano, L. I., Salas-Matta, L. A., & Rodriguez-Morales, A. J. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals: a systematic review of studies and case reports and series. Veterinary Quarterly, 41(250-267), 250–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2021.1970280 infection, dogs, Animal Immunology [LL650], Diagnosis of Animal Diseases [LL886], disease control, disease prevention, meta-analysis, man, systematic reviews, cats, Pets and Companion Animals [LL070], literature reviews, human diseases, public health, zoonoses, zoonotic infections, Animal Health and Hygiene (General) [LL800], Biological Resources (Animal) [PP710], disease transmission, viral diseases, diagnosis, animal diseases, Prion, Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens of Animals [LL821], Prion, Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens of Humans [VV210], coronavirus disease 2019, pandemics, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, viral infections, serology, case reports, American mink, mink, Mustela vison, Neovison vison, reverse transcriptase PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR