Susceptibility and Attenuated Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats

Bao, Linlin; Song, Zhiqi; Xue, Jing; Gao, Hong; Liu, Jiangning; Wang, Jie; Guo, Qian; Zhao, Binbin; Qu, Yajin; Qi, Feifei; Gong, Shuran; Liu, Mingya; Qi, Lv; Li, Dan; Han, Yunlin; Zhao, Wenjie; Deng, Shoulong; Liu, Yunpeng; Xiang, Zhiguang; Yang, Bochao; Deng, Wei; Yu, Haisheng; Cong, Zhe; Wei, Qiang; Xu, Jianguo; Gao, George F; Qin, Chuan

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 provide information for protecting the health of humans and cats. Article Summary Line: Domestic cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and have attenuated transmissibility after serial passaging.