Uso del péptido recombinante D+E (L230 -A419) de la nucleoproteína del virus SARS-CoV-2 para la detección de anticuerpos en felinos domésticos (Felis catus) potencialmente expuestos a COVID-19

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of the recombinant peptide D+E (L230-A419) of the nucleoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus for the detection of antibodies in domestic felines (Felis catus) potentially exposed to COVID-19. For this purpose, 30 blood serum samples collected before the pandemic and 30 samples collected after the pandemic from domestic cats that had already been identified as potentially exposed to COVID-19 were used. The samples were analyzed using two serological tests, indirect ELISA and Western Blot, showing the presence of antibodies against the D+E peptide (L230-A419) of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Nucleoprotein in both the pre-pandemic samples (ELISA indirect 27 positive/Western Blot 7 positive) as in the post-pandemic (indirect ELISA 16 positive/Western Blot 7 positive), however, significant differences were observed between the two methods used. The results suggest a possible cross-reaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the FCoV endemic to the area because the nucleoprotein of these viruses shares common antigenic epitopes, since the cats sampled came from rural areas and with minimal health care. The use of other more specific antigens is recommended for the assessment of the presence of antibodies against Sars-CoV-2 since the null efficacy of this recombinant peptide for the detection of antibodies to the virus was demonstrated