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White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) may serve as a wildlife reservoir for nearly extinct SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Caserta, Leonardo C; Martins, Mathias; Butt, Salman L; Hollingshead, Nicholas A; Covaleda, Lina M; Ahmed, Sohel; Everts, Mia R R; Schuler, Krysten L; Diel, Diego G.
  • Caserta LC; Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Martins M; Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Butt SL; Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Hollingshead NA; Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Covaleda LM; Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Ahmed S; Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Everts MRR; Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Schuler KL; Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
  • Diel DG; Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 120(6): e2215067120, 2023 02 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2222139
ABSTRACT
The spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from humans to white-tailed deer (WTD) and its ability to transmit from deer to deer raised concerns about the role of WTD in the epidemiology and ecology of the virus. Here, we present a comprehensive cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in WTD in the State of New York (NY). A total of 5,462 retropharyngeal lymph node samples collected from free-ranging hunter-harvested WTD during the hunting seasons of 2020 (Season 1, September to December 2020, n = 2,700) and 2021 (Season 2, September to December 2021, n = 2,762) were tested by SARS-CoV-2 real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 17 samples (0.6%) from Season 1 and in 583 samples (21.1%) from Season 2. Hotspots of infection were identified in multiple confined geographic areas of NY. Sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 164 samples demonstrated the presence of multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages and the cocirculation of three major variants of concern (VOCs) (Alpha, Gamma, and Delta) in WTD. Our analysis suggests the occurrence of multiple spillover events (human to deer) of the Alpha and Delta lineages with subsequent deer-to-deer transmission and adaptation of the viruses. Detection of Alpha and Gamma variants in WTD long after their broad circulation in humans in NY suggests that WTD may serve as a wildlife reservoir for VOCs no longer circulating in humans. Thus, implementation of continuous surveillance programs to monitor SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in WTD is warranted, and measures to minimize virus transmission between humans and animals are urgently needed.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Deer / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Variants Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Year: 2023 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Deer / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Variants Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Year: 2023 Document Type: Article