Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023

Abstract Background The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown. However, it is likely that the virus spillover occurred from an animal reservoir to humans. Identifying animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding cross-species...

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Main Authors: Anna Didkowska, Víctor Martín-Santander, Marlena Wojciechowska, Wanda Olech, Krzysztof Anusz, Antonio Fernández, Janine E. Davies, Álex Gómez, Natacha Peña-Fresneda, Maykel Arias, Delia Lacasta, Aurora Ortín, María Dolores Pérez, Sergio Villanueva-Saz, Diana Marteles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04593-3
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author Anna Didkowska
Víctor Martín-Santander
Marlena Wojciechowska
Wanda Olech
Krzysztof Anusz
Antonio Fernández
Janine E. Davies
Álex Gómez
Natacha Peña-Fresneda
Maykel Arias
Delia Lacasta
Aurora Ortín
María Dolores Pérez
Sergio Villanueva-Saz
Diana Marteles
author_facet Anna Didkowska
Víctor Martín-Santander
Marlena Wojciechowska
Wanda Olech
Krzysztof Anusz
Antonio Fernández
Janine E. Davies
Álex Gómez
Natacha Peña-Fresneda
Maykel Arias
Delia Lacasta
Aurora Ortín
María Dolores Pérez
Sergio Villanueva-Saz
Diana Marteles
author_sort Anna Didkowska
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown. However, it is likely that the virus spillover occurred from an animal reservoir to humans. Identifying animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding cross-species transmission to humans. This study distinguishes itself by focusing on the susceptibility of the European bison (Bison bonasus), an endangered species, to SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a substantial number (n = 238) of both free-living and captive Polish European bison using an in-house ELISA method and virus neutralization test (VNT). Results The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be 1.29% (3/232). None of the seropositive European bison tested positive in the virus neutralization test. All seropositive animals were part of captive herds. Conclusions This study represents the first report of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in both free-ranging and captive European bison in Poland. Based on these findings, the European bison appears to be a less susceptible species to SARS-CoV-2. The most probable route of transmission was from humans to European bison, as all seropositive animals belonged to captive herds with contact with indirect human sources, such as tourists and keepers.
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spelling doaj-art-c495879243f145c3b1fa5a7699f6fcf42025-08-20T03:03:58ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-02-012111710.1186/s12917-025-04593-3Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023Anna Didkowska0Víctor Martín-Santander1Marlena Wojciechowska2Wanda Olech3Krzysztof Anusz4Antonio Fernández5Janine E. Davies6Álex Gómez7Natacha Peña-Fresneda8Maykel Arias9Delia Lacasta10Aurora Ortín11María Dolores Pérez12Sergio Villanueva-Saz13Diana Marteles14Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaDepartment of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaClinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaDepartment of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaAragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón)Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón)Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaDepartment of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaInstituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA)Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaDepartment of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of ZaragozaAbstract Background The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown. However, it is likely that the virus spillover occurred from an animal reservoir to humans. Identifying animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding cross-species transmission to humans. This study distinguishes itself by focusing on the susceptibility of the European bison (Bison bonasus), an endangered species, to SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a substantial number (n = 238) of both free-living and captive Polish European bison using an in-house ELISA method and virus neutralization test (VNT). Results The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be 1.29% (3/232). None of the seropositive European bison tested positive in the virus neutralization test. All seropositive animals were part of captive herds. Conclusions This study represents the first report of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in both free-ranging and captive European bison in Poland. Based on these findings, the European bison appears to be a less susceptible species to SARS-CoV-2. The most probable route of transmission was from humans to European bison, as all seropositive animals belonged to captive herds with contact with indirect human sources, such as tourists and keepers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04593-3Bison bonasusELISAPolandSARS-Cov-2SerologyVNT
spellingShingle Anna Didkowska
Víctor Martín-Santander
Marlena Wojciechowska
Wanda Olech
Krzysztof Anusz
Antonio Fernández
Janine E. Davies
Álex Gómez
Natacha Peña-Fresneda
Maykel Arias
Delia Lacasta
Aurora Ortín
María Dolores Pérez
Sergio Villanueva-Saz
Diana Marteles
Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
BMC Veterinary Research
Bison bonasus
ELISA
Poland
SARS-Cov-2
Serology
VNT
title Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
title_full Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
title_fullStr Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
title_full_unstemmed Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
title_short Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2019–2023
title_sort presence of anti sars cov 2 antibodies in european bison bison bonasus in poland 2019 2023
topic Bison bonasus
ELISA
Poland
SARS-Cov-2
Serology
VNT
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04593-3
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