2024/01/12 by Maureen Sims, Zeinab H. Helal, Zeinab Helal +6
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Animal Virus Infections Studies #SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research #Virus-based gene therapy research
paper · doi:10.7589/jwd-d-23-00054
openalex publication_date 2024/01/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
A SARS-CoV-2 genomic and serologic survey was performed in a population of bobcats (Lynx rufus) inhabiting the state of Connecticut, USA. Wild animal populations are becoming established in densely populated cities with increased likelihood of direct or indirect contact with humans, as well as with household cats and dogs. Wild-caught bobcats (n=38) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR and for virus-neutralizing antibodies by ELISA, suggesting that either the species is not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 or that the surveyed population has not yet been exposed to a source of infectious virus. However, this limited survey cannot rule out that human-to-bobcat or unknown reservoir-to-bobcat transmission of the virus occurs in nature.