SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on a Spanish mink farm: epidemiological, molecular, and pathological studies

Badiola, J. J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Otero, A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sevilla, E. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marín, B. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; García Martínez, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Betancor, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sola, D. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Pérez Lázaro, S. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lozada, J. ; Velez, C. ; Chiner-Oms, Á. ; Comas, I. ; Cancino-Muñoz, I. ; Monleón, E (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Monzón, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Acín, C. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Bolea, R. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Moreno, B. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Farmed minks have been reported to be highly susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and may represent a risk to humans. In this study, we describe the first outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred on a mink farm in Spain, between June and July 2020, involving 92,700 animals. The outbreak started shortly after some farm workers became seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Minks showed no clinical signs compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout the outbreak. Samples from 98 minks were collected for histopathological, serological, and molecular studies. Twenty out of 98 (20.4%) minks were positive by RT-qPCR and 82 out 92 (89%) seroconverted. This finding may reflect a rapid spread of the virus at the farm with most of the animals overcoming the infection. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 was detected by RT-qPCR in 30% of brain samples from positive minks. Sequencing analysis showed that the mink sequences were not closely related with the other mink SARS-CoV-2 sequences available, and that this mink outbreak has its probable origin in one of the genetic variants that were prevalent in Spain during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave. Histological studies revealed bronchointerstitial pneumonia in some animals. Immunostaining of viral nucleocapsid was also observed in nasal turbinate tissue. Farmed minks could therefore constitute an important SARS-CoV-2 reservoir, contributing to virus spread among minks and humans. Consequently, continuous surveillance of mink farms is needed.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.805004

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8 (2022), 805004[9 pp.]
ISSN: 2297-1769

Factor impacto JCR: 3.2 (2022)

Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 12 / 144 = 0.083 (2022) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 3.8 - Veterinary (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.737 - Veterinary (miscellaneous) (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/ISCIII/COV20-00140

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Genética (Dpto. Anatom.,Embri.Genét.Ani.)
Área (Departamento): Área Sanidad Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)
Área (Departamento): Area Histología (Dpto. Anatom.Histolog.Humanas)