Susceptibility and Attenuated Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats
Linlin Bao, Zhiqi Song, Jing Xue, Hong Gao, Jiangning Liu, Jie Wang, Qian Guo, Binbin Zhao, Yajin Qu, Feifei Qi, Shuran Gong, Mingya Liu, Qi Lv, Dan Li, Yunlin Han, Wenjie Zhao, Shoulong Deng, Yunpeng Liu, Zhiguang Xiang, Bochao Yang, Wei Deng, Haisheng Yu, Zhe Cong, Qiang Wei, Jianguo Xu, George F. Gao, Chuan Qin
Abstract
Domestic cats, an important companion animal, can be infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This has aroused concern regarding the ability of domestic cats to spread the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. We systematically demonstrated the pathogenesis and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in cats. Serial passaging of the virus between cats dramatically attenuated the viral transmissibility, likely owing to variations of the amino acids in the receptor-binding domain sites of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 between humans and cats. These findings provide insight into the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and information for protecting the health of humans and cats.