A vaccine to prevent covid transmission from cat to human

Researchers at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) have developed a vaccine prototype against SARS-CoV-2 that has been effective in preliminary trials in cats. “In our study we showed a high efficacy of the vaccine prototype in limiting the viral replication of SARS -CoV-2 in cats, which would help control transmission between animals and prevent them from acting as potential sources of infection,” says Sandra Barroso, a researcher at the UCM Viral Immunology and Preventive Medicine Service. This experimental study, whose The results have been published in the scientific journal Research in Veterinary Science, it has been carried out at the Veterinary Health Surveillance Center (VISAVET) of the Veterinary Faculty of the UCM, in collaboration with the Microbial Immunology Unit of the Carlos III Health Institute , as part of the project ‘Study of the potential impact of COVID-19 on pets and lynxes’. Two cats were vaccinated to assess the immune response

In a first phase of the trial, two animals were vaccinated intramuscularly with the vaccine prototype. The cats were monitored for possible secondary reactions and serum samples were also taken to assess antibody production. About 35 days after vaccination, the animals were transferred to the high biosafety laboratory (level 3) of the center together with two control animals, where they were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus to evaluate the response to the disease. To minimize risks to the research staff, the animals were housed in an isolator that filtered the exhaust air. The animals, in addition to having daily veterinary care, had environmental enrichment to maximize their well-being. The duration of the period of infection and evaluation of the response to the disease was 21 days. The vaccine prototype completely prevented infection in one of the animals

“Our vaccine prototype has proven to be effective in this regard, since, in the case of one of the vaccinated animals, the infection was completely avoided, while in the other it was limited to the region of the upper respiratory tract and without virus excretion. infectious”, indicate the UCM researchers. Both vaccinated animals had a strong immune response based on neutralizing antibodies that, as in vaccinated humans, helped control the infection. “Although currently COVID-19 is not of great relevance in veterinary medicine, the constant appearance of mutations in the virus could lead to the appearance of new variants that clearly affect animals. Unfortunately, we cannot rule out new scenarios in which the epidemiology of the disease changes. Therefore, it is important to have control and prevention tools for the different susceptible species”, concludes Barroso-Arévalo. Although it may contain statements, data or notes from health institutions or professionals, the information contained in Medical Writing is edited and prepared by journalists. We recommend the reader that any questions related to health be consulted with a health professional.