Exposure of stray and hunting dogs to SARS CoV-2 in Campania, southern Italy

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure has been reported across the world in a variety of animal species, including pets. Pets are particularly predisposed to contracting the virus due to their close contact with their owners. This occurrence was common during the COVID pandemic. Recent evidence has proven that dogs are less susceptible to this virus than cats, and usually they produce antibodies rather than shed the virus after contagion. In this work, the seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 was determined in hunting and stray dogs in Campania, southern Italy. A total of 112 dogs without any symptoms were included and tested with two distinct commercial ELISAs. In total, 5 of 112 animals (4.6%) tested positive. All the antibody-positive animals were stray animals. Each animal's feces and blood were examined using a real-time PCR that targeted two different coding regions. No animal tested positive in molecular investigations, indicating dogs' passive role in this infection when they do not exhibit clinical symptoms. Pets have been, and continue to be, prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection as a result of their close relationship with humans. This study assessed the seroprevalence of shelter dogs in southern Italy. The findings demonstrate a presence of SARS CoV-2 in this dog community, leading to the conclusion that contact with infected humans is sufficient to transfer the virus to dogs.