Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 detection in domestic animals as a reservoir for the virus transmission to humans in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 19-02-2023)

13. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 detection in domestic animals as a reservoir for the virus transmission to humans in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum, Tri Untari, and Asmarani Kusumawati

Veterinary World, 16(2): 341-346

Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.

Tri Untari: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.

Asmarani Kusumawati: Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.341-346

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Article history: Received: 22-09-2022, Accepted: 13-01-2023, Published online: 19-02-2023

Corresponding author: Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum

E-mail: yuli_purwandari@mail.ugm.ac.id

Citation: Kristianingrum YP, Untari T, and Kusumawati A (2023) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 detection in domestic animals as a reservoir for the virus transmission to humans in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Veterinary World, 16(2): 341–346.

Abstract

Background and Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that attacks the respiratory and digestive tract. The SARS-CoV-2 showed systemic characteristics with various clinical symptoms from subclinical to fatal (causing death). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to occur from humans to pets (cats, dogs, tigers, ferrets, and poultry). Knowledge about the role of domestic animals in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans, and as reservoirs of this virus needs to be investigated further. This study aimed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals such as dogs, cats, pigs, cows, birds, and bats that are often in contact with humans.

Materials and Methods: A total of 157 samples, which included nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, along with sera samples from domestic animals such as cats, pigs, cows, birds, and bats, were taken from Veterinary Hospitals, Veterinary Clinics, and farms around the Yogyakarta region. Detection of the virus was done using rapid detection of viral antigens, antibodies, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.

Results: The results showed that 5/157 (3.1%) samples found positive against the COVID-19 virus using a rapid antibody test; however, the results were negative on the rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests. Antibody-positive samples came from animals that had a history of household COVID-19 human infection.

Conclusion: Thus, findings of the present study conclude that there is a potential for transmission of the COVID-19 virus between animals and humans.

Keywords: antibody, reservoir, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.