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Susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to SARS-CoV-2

Mitchell V. Palmer, View ORCID ProfileMathias Martins, Shollie Falkenberg, Alexandra Buckley, Leonardo C. Caserta, Patrick K. Mitchell, View ORCID ProfileEric D. Cassmann, Alicia Rollins, Nancy C. Zylich, Rendall W. Renshaw, Cassandra Guarino, Bettina Wagner, Kelly Lager, View ORCID ProfileDiego G. Diel
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.13.426628
Mitchell V. Palmer
aInfectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, USA
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Mathias Martins
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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  • ORCID record for Mathias Martins
Shollie Falkenberg
cRuminant Disease and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, USA
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Alexandra Buckley
dVirus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research, Ames, IA, USA
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Leonardo C. Caserta
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Patrick K. Mitchell
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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  • For correspondence: mitchell.palmer@usda.gov dgdiel@cornell.edu
Eric D. Cassmann
dVirus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research, Ames, IA, USA
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Alicia Rollins
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Nancy C. Zylich
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Rendall W. Renshaw
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Cassandra Guarino
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Bettina Wagner
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Kelly Lager
dVirus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research, Ames, IA, USA
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Diego G. Diel
bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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  • ORCID record for Diego G. Diel
  • For correspondence: mitchell.palmer@usda.gov dgdiel@cornell.edu
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Abstract

The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing the global coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, remains a mystery. Current evidence suggests a likely spillover into humans from an animal reservoir. Understanding the host range and identifying animal species that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection may help to elucidate the origin of the virus and the mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission to humans. Here we demonstrated that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), an animal species in which the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – the SARS-CoV-2 receptor – shares a high degree of similarity to humans, are highly susceptible to infection. Intranasal inoculation of deer fawns with SARS-CoV-2 resulted in established subclinical viral infection and shedding of infectious virus in nasal secretions. Notably, infected animals transmitted the virus to non-inoculated contact deer. Viral RNA was detected in multiple tissues 21 days post-inoculation (pi). All inoculated and indirect contact animals seroconverted and developed neutralizing antibodies as early as day 7 pi. The work provides important insights into the animal host range of SARS-CoV-2 and identifies white-tailed deer as a susceptible wild animal species to the virus.

IMPORTANCE Given the presumed zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2, the human-animal-environment interface of COVID-19 pandemic is an area of great scientific and public- and animal-health interest. Identification of animal species that are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 may help to elucidate the potential origin of the virus, identify potential reservoirs or intermediate hosts, and define the mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission to humans. Additionally, it may also provide information and help to prevent potential reverse zoonosis that could lead to the establishment of a new wildlife hosts. Our data show that upon intranasal inoculation, white-tailed deer became subclinically infected and shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 in nasal secretions and feces. Importantly, indirect contact animals were infected and shed infectious virus, indicating efficient SARS-CoV-2 transmission from inoculated animals. These findings support the inclusion of wild cervid species in investigations conducted to assess potential reservoirs or sources of SARS-CoV-2 of infection.

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license.
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Posted January 14, 2021.
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Susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to SARS-CoV-2
Mitchell V. Palmer, Mathias Martins, Shollie Falkenberg, Alexandra Buckley, Leonardo C. Caserta, Patrick K. Mitchell, Eric D. Cassmann, Alicia Rollins, Nancy C. Zylich, Rendall W. Renshaw, Cassandra Guarino, Bettina Wagner, Kelly Lager, Diego G. Diel
bioRxiv 2021.01.13.426628; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.13.426628
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Susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to SARS-CoV-2
Mitchell V. Palmer, Mathias Martins, Shollie Falkenberg, Alexandra Buckley, Leonardo C. Caserta, Patrick K. Mitchell, Eric D. Cassmann, Alicia Rollins, Nancy C. Zylich, Rendall W. Renshaw, Cassandra Guarino, Bettina Wagner, Kelly Lager, Diego G. Diel
bioRxiv 2021.01.13.426628; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.13.426628

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