Human-to-dog Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Lota Variant: Should COVID-19 Patients Avoid Close Contact with their Pets During Illness?

Abstract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has been proven to have a broad range of host species, including non-human primates, as well as domestic animals and pets. A high conservation degree in the structure of the ACE2 receptor, which is the critical protein for viral infection among vertebrate species, could lead to anthroponotic events. The present paper reports the first symptomatic human-to-dog transmission event of the SARS-CoV-2 Iota variant in Latin America. We found a total of 21 mutations shared across the complete genomes of owner and dog viral sequences. Further phylogenetic and molecular analysis showed a 100% support of clade co-localization supporting the transmission event. Spike protein structure prediction of sequenced virus and docking analyses showed that E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) could enhance viral affinity towards dACE2. Therefore, close contact should be avoided between humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 and pets to avoid the appearance of novel mutations of importance in public health from anthroponotic events.