| Autor: |
Jemeršić L; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Lojkić I; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Krešić N; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Keros T; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Zelenika TA; Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Jurinović L; Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Skok D; Zagreb Zoo, Maksimirski Perivoj, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Bata I; Zagreb Zoo, Maksimirski Perivoj, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Boras J; Zagreb Zoo, Maksimirski Perivoj, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Habrun B; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Brnić D; Virology Department, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. |
| Abstrakt: |
Due to SARS CoV-2 recombination rates, number of infected people and recent reports of environmental contamination, the possibility of SARS CoV-2 transmission to animals can be expected. We tested samples of dominant free-living and captive wildlife species in Croatia for the presence of anti-SARS CoV-2 antibodies and viral RNA. In total, from June 2020 until February 2021, we tested blood, muscle extract and fecal samples of 422 free-living wild boars ( Sus scrofa ), red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) and jackals ( Canis aureus ); blood and cloacal swabs of 111 yellow-legged gulls ( Larus michahellis ) and fecal samples of 32 zoo animals. A commercially available ELISA (ID.Vet, France) and as a confirmatory test, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT; GenScript, Netherlands) were used. Fecal samples were tested for the presence of viral RNA by a real-time RT-PCR protocol. Fifteen out of 533 (2.8%) positive ELISA results were detected; in wild boars (3.9%), red foxes (2.9%) and jackals (4.6%). However, the positive findings were not confirmed by sVNT. No viral RNA was found. In conclusion, no spillover occurred within the investigated period (second COVID-19 wave). However, further investigation is needed, especially regarding wildlife sample features for serological tests. |
