First Description of Serological Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 in Lactating Cows

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2022 Jun 10

PMID 35681922

Authors

Filomena Fiorito

Valentina Iovane

Ugo Pagnini

Claudia Cerracchio

Sergio Brandi

Martina Levante

Luisa Marati

Gianmarco Ferrara

Virginio Tammaro

Esterina De Carlo

Giuseppe Iovane

Giovanna Fusco

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Following the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in Ariano Irpino, Campania region (Italy), we tested lactating cows for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on a cattle farm at which, prior to the investigation, 13 of the 20 farmworkers showed COVID-19-like symptoms, and one of them died. Twenty-four lactating cows were sampled to detect SARS-CoV-2. All nasal and rectal swabs and milk samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the 24 collected serum samples, 11 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, 14 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and 13 developed neutralising antibodies for SARS-COV-2; all samples were negative for Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV), another betacoronavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lactating cows. We hypothesise that this may be a case of reverse zoonosis. However, the role of cattle in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission seems to be negligible.

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