A subunit vaccine candidate based on the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 prevents infectious virus shedding in cats

Of the numerous animal species affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cats are one of the most susceptible, and catto-cat transmission has been described. Although cat-to-human infection has not, as yet, been demonstrated, preventive measures should be taken in order to avoid both viral infection in cats...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Barroso Arévalo, Sandra, Sánchez Morales, Lidia, Domínguez, Mercedes, Risalde, María A., García Bocanegra, Ignacio, Sánchez-Vizcaíno Rodríguez, José Manuel, Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José, García-Seco Romero, María Teresa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/71657
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/71657
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:SARS-CoV-2
Cats
Subunit vaccine
Spike protei
Veterinaria
Inmunología veterinaria
3109 Ciencias Veterinarias
3109.03 Inmunología
Descripción
Sumario:Of the numerous animal species affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cats are one of the most susceptible, and catto-cat transmission has been described. Although cat-to-human infection has not, as yet, been demonstrated, preventive measures should be taken in order to avoid both viral infection in cats and transmission among them. In this respect, the application of an effective vaccine to at-risk populations would be a useful tool for controlling the disease in this species. Here, we test a new vaccine prototype based on the Spike protein of the virus in order to prevent infection and infectious virus shedding in cats. The vaccine employed in experimentation, and which is easily produced, triggered a strong neutralizing antibody response in vaccinated animals. In contrast to that which occurred with control animals, no infectious virus was detected in the oropharyngeal or rectal swabs of vaccinated cats submitted to a SARS-CoV-2 challenge. These results are of great interest as regards future considerations related to implementing vaccination programs in pets. The value of cats as vaccination trial models is also described herein.