Publications by authors named "J Vergara-Alert"
Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in exotic pets in Spain.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis
December 2024
Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in different animal species raises concerns about the potential for animal reservoirs and transmission to humans. Here, we evaluate the exposure of exotic pet species to this virus throughout the early years of the pandemic (2020 - 2022) in southern Spain. A total of 180 exotic pets (126 domestic rabbits, 31 ferrets, and 23 rodents) were analyzed for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using two different ELISAs.
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- Human activities, such as deforestation and urbanization, increase the risk of zoonotic diseases by creating conducive environments for wildlife like rodents and wild boar, which can carry infectious agents like coronaviruses.
- A study in Catalonia during the COVID-19 pandemic tested over 500 animals, including rodents and wild boar, for SARS-CoV-2, finding that the majority were negative, indicating low levels of infection.
- The findings suggest that rodents and wild boar played a negligible role in the transmission of COVID-19 in the area, but ongoing surveillance is necessary due to their proximity to humans and the potential for viral mutations.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), considered a zoonotic agent of wildlife origin, can infect various animal species, including wildlife in free-range and captive environments. Detecting susceptible species and potential reservoirs is crucial for preventing the transmission, spread, genetic evolution, and further emergence of viral variants that are major threats to global health. This study aimed to detect exposure or acute infection by SARS-CoV-2 in 420 animals from 40 different wildlife species, including terrestrial and aquatic mammals, from different regions of Spain during the 2020-2023 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe conducted a serologic and molecular study to assess exposure of captive nonhuman primates (NHPs) to SARS-CoV-2 in Spain during the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic. We found limited exposure of NHPs to SARS-CoV-2. Biosafety measures must be strictly maintained to avoid SARS-CoV-2 reverse-zoonotic transmission in the human-NHP interface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSafe and effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are crucial to fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Most vaccines are based on a mutated version of the Spike glycoprotein [K986P/V987P (S-2P)] with improved stability, yield and immunogenicity. However, S-2P is still produced at low levels.
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