Experimental and field investigations of exposure, replication and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in pigs in the Netherlands

In order to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission and reservoir development in swine, we combined results of an experimental and two observational studies. First, intranasal and intratracheal challenge of eight pigs did not result in infection, based on clinical signs and PCR on swab...

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Authors: Sikkema, Reina S.|||0000-0001-7331-6274, Tobias, Tijs|||0000-0002-0747-9531, Oreshkova, Nadia|||0000-0001-8830-7055, de Bruin, Erwin|||0000-0003-0826-5102, Okba, Nisreen M. A|||0000-0002-2394-1079, Chandler, Felicity, Hulst, Marcel M.|||0000-0001-8020-8853, Rodon, Jordi|||0000-0002-1032-9091, Houben, Manon|||0000-0001-6852-7632, van Maanen, Kees, Bultman, Hans, Meester, Marina|||0000-0001-8004-8546, Gerhards, Nora M.|||0000-0001-7367-9008, Bouwknegt, Martijn|||0000-0002-3446-5338, Urlings, Bert|||0000-0002-9299-4211, Haagmans, Bart L|||0000-0001-6221-2015, Kluytmans, Jan|||0000-0003-2665-6844, Geurtsvankessel, Corine|||0000-0002-7678-314X, van der Poel, Wim H.M.|||0000-0002-7498-8002, Koopmans, Marion P.G.|||0000-0002-5204-2312, Stegeman, Arjan|||0000-0003-4361-3846
Format: article
Publication Date:2021
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:269498
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/269498
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1080/22221751.2021.2011625
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Swine
Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2
Antibody
One Health
Description
Summary:In order to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission and reservoir development in swine, we combined results of an experimental and two observational studies. First, intranasal and intratracheal challenge of eight pigs did not result in infection, based on clinical signs and PCR on swab and lung tissue samples. Two serum samples returned a low positive result in virus neutralization, in line with findings in other infection experiments in pigs. Next, a retrospective observational study was performed in the Netherlands in the spring of 2020. Serum samples (N =417) obtained at slaughter from 17 farms located in a region with a high human case incidence in the first wave of the pandemic. Samples were tested with protein micro array, plaque reduction neutralization test and receptor-binding-domain ELISA. None of the serum samples was positive in all three assays, although six samples from one farm returned a low positive result in PRNT (titers 40-80). Therefore we conclude that serological evidence for large scale transmission was not observed. Finally, an outbreak of respiratory disease in pigs on one farm, coinciding with recent exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infected animal caretakers, was investigated. Tonsil swabs and paired serum samples were tested. No evidence for infection with SARS-CoV-2 was found. In conclusion, Although in both the experimental and the observational study few samples returned low antibody titer results in PRNT infection with SARS-CoV-2 was not confirmed. It was concluded that sporadic infections in the field cannot be excluded, but large-scale SARS-CoV-2 transmission among pigs is unlikely.

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