Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in various animal species, including dogs. While human-to-animal transmission has been documented, the extent and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in dogs across the United States of America (USA) remain unclear. To address this need, we investigated the sero...

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Main Authors: Chi Chen, Mohammed Nooruzzaman, Csaba Varga, Akhila Naru, Hannah Rose Cohen, Mara S. Varvil, Nicolas Hernandez, Diego G. Diel, Ying Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06730-2
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author Chi Chen
Mohammed Nooruzzaman
Csaba Varga
Akhila Naru
Hannah Rose Cohen
Mara S. Varvil
Nicolas Hernandez
Diego G. Diel
Ying Fang
author_facet Chi Chen
Mohammed Nooruzzaman
Csaba Varga
Akhila Naru
Hannah Rose Cohen
Mara S. Varvil
Nicolas Hernandez
Diego G. Diel
Ying Fang
author_sort Chi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in various animal species, including dogs. While human-to-animal transmission has been documented, the extent and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in dogs across the United States of America (USA) remain unclear. To address this need, we investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs in the USA and scanned for spatial and temporal clusters of high seroprevalence. Serum samples from 953 dogs from 37 states were screened by serological assays, and 58 (6.09%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The lowest seropositivity was detected in the third quarter of 2021 (1.16%), while the highest was in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 (23.26%). Maps visualized the distribution of seroprevalence, and the Pacific Northwest and Florida had high seroprevalence, while the Northeast and Midwest USA had low seroprevalence. Two significant space–time clusters were identified. The primary cluster in areas in the state of Washington in October 2024, and the secondary cluster in Florida in March 2022. These findings highlight the importance of surveillance to understand SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in companion animals and its implications for public health.
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spelling doaj-art-665aed65507a4718864b13b28a3528a22025-08-20T04:01:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-06730-2Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of AmericaChi Chen0Mohammed Nooruzzaman1Csaba Varga2Akhila Naru3Hannah Rose Cohen4Mara S. Varvil5Nicolas Hernandez6Diego G. Diel7Ying Fang8Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignVeterinary Clinical Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State UniversityVeterinary Clinical Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State UniversityDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignAbstract SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in various animal species, including dogs. While human-to-animal transmission has been documented, the extent and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in dogs across the United States of America (USA) remain unclear. To address this need, we investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs in the USA and scanned for spatial and temporal clusters of high seroprevalence. Serum samples from 953 dogs from 37 states were screened by serological assays, and 58 (6.09%) samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The lowest seropositivity was detected in the third quarter of 2021 (1.16%), while the highest was in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 (23.26%). Maps visualized the distribution of seroprevalence, and the Pacific Northwest and Florida had high seroprevalence, while the Northeast and Midwest USA had low seroprevalence. Two significant space–time clusters were identified. The primary cluster in areas in the state of Washington in October 2024, and the secondary cluster in Florida in March 2022. These findings highlight the importance of surveillance to understand SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in companion animals and its implications for public health.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06730-2SARS-CoV-2DogsSeroepidemiologic studiesClustering
spellingShingle Chi Chen
Mohammed Nooruzzaman
Csaba Varga
Akhila Naru
Hannah Rose Cohen
Mara S. Varvil
Nicolas Hernandez
Diego G. Diel
Ying Fang
Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
Scientific Reports
SARS-CoV-2
Dogs
Seroepidemiologic studies
Clustering
title Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
title_full Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
title_fullStr Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
title_short Evaluating the distribution and clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs across the United States of America
title_sort evaluating the distribution and clustering of sars cov 2 antibodies in dogs across the united states of america
topic SARS-CoV-2
Dogs
Seroepidemiologic studies
Clustering
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06730-2
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