Peridomestic Mammal Susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Aug;27(8):2073-2080. doi: 10.3201/eid2708.210180.ABSTRACTWild animals have been implicated as the origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but it is largely unknown how the virus affects most wildlife species and if wildlife could ultimately serve as a reservoir for maintaining the virus outside the human population. We show that several common peridomestic species, including deer mice, bushy-tailed woodrats, and striped skunks, are susceptible to infection and can shed the virus in respiratory secretions. In contrast, we demonstrate that cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, Wyoming ground squirrels, black-tailed prairie dogs, house mice, and racoons are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results expand the knowledge base of susceptible species and provide evidence that human-wildlife interactions could result in continued transmission of SARS-CoV-2.PMID:34286685 | DOI:10.3201/eid2708.210180

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - July 21, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Angela M Bosco-Lauth J Jeffrey Root Stephanie M Porter Audrey E Walker Lauren Guilbert Daphne Hawvermale Aimee Pepper Rachel M Maison Airn E Hartwig Paul Gordy Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann Richard A Bowen Source Type: research