The latest WHO report notes some interesting observations on the host range of SARS CoV. The earlier Science report showed that masked palm civets and a raccoon dog were infected with a SARS CoV which represents the animal reservoir. The virus from the civets was virtually identical to the raccoon dog and was greater than 99% homologous to SARS CoV from humans.
The WHO report on Amoy Gardens indicates that at least 8 cats and 1 dog were PCR positive for SARS CoV and virus was isolated from at least one cat. This virus was virtually identical to human SARS CoV, which would suggest it contained the 29 nt deletion as well as the 4 dozen mutations seen in Amoy Garden SARS CoV isolates.
There was no indication that the cats or dog were ill, even though they harbored a virus that was quite lethal in humans.
WHO has maintained that SARS CoV was put back in the box and a re-emergence would likely come from a wild animal reservoir. If re-emergence sole came from wild animals in Guangdong Province, then public awareness and government precautions may limit the transmission, especially of the virus has to once again go through a series of mutations, including a 29 nt deletion.
However, if the fully mutated virus readily replicates in asymptomatic pets, then the possibility that a re-emergence from multiple sources in previously hard hit areas would be increased.
It is not clear how many cats were tested, but the report seemed to indicate hat only 2 dogs were tested and one was positive. Similarly, in Shenzhen only one raccoon dog was tested, and it was positive (as were 6/6 civets).
As fall and winter approach in the northern hemisphere, a more comprehensive screening of pets traced to SARS CoV positive patients might be revealing. |
