loading page

Near-complete genome of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern identified in a symptomatic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in Botswana
  • +24
  • Wonderful T. Choga,
  • Samantha L. Letsholo,
  • Chandapiwa Marobela-Raborokgwe,
  • Mbatshi Mazwiduma,
  • Dorcas Maruapula,
  • John Rukuva,
  • Mary Gorettie Binta,
  • Letlhogile Oarabile,
  • Boitumelo J. L. Zuze,
  • Legodile Koopile,
  • Kedumetse Seru,
  • Patience Motshosi,
  • Ontlametse Bareng,
  • Botshelo Radibe,
  • Pamela Lawrence-Smith,
  • Kutlo Macheke,
  • Lesego Kuate-Lere,
  • Modisa S. Motswaledi,
  • Mpaphi B. Mbulawa,
  • Mogomotsi Matshaba,
  • Kereng V. Masupu,
  • Shahin Lockman,
  • Roger Shapiro,
  • Joseph Makhema,
  • Mosepele Mosepele,
  • Simani Gaseitsiwe,
  • Sikhulile Moyo
Wonderful T. Choga
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Samantha L. Letsholo
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Chandapiwa Marobela-Raborokgwe
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Mbatshi Mazwiduma
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Dorcas Maruapula
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
John Rukuva
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Mary Gorettie Binta
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Letlhogile Oarabile
Republic of Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Author Profile
Boitumelo J. L. Zuze
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Legodile Koopile
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Kedumetse Seru
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Patience Motshosi
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Ontlametse Bareng
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Botshelo Radibe
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Pamela Lawrence-Smith
Republic of Botswana Ministry of Health
Author Profile
Kutlo Macheke
Republic of Botswana Ministry of Health
Author Profile
Lesego Kuate-Lere
Republic of Botswana Ministry of Health
Author Profile
Modisa S. Motswaledi
University of Botswana Department of Medical Laboratories Science
Author Profile
Mpaphi B. Mbulawa
Republic of Botswana Ministry of Health
Author Profile
Mogomotsi Matshaba
University of Botswana
Author Profile
Kereng V. Masupu
Republic of Botswana Government
Author Profile
Shahin Lockman
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Roger Shapiro
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Joseph Makhema
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Mosepele Mosepele
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Simani Gaseitsiwe
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Author Profile
Sikhulile Moyo
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership

Corresponding Author:sikhulilemoyo@gmail.com

Author Profile

Abstract

We sought to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 was present, and to perform full-length genomic sequencing, in a 5-year-old male crossbreed dog that presented with flu-like symptoms (including a dry hacking cough and mild dyspnea) and resided in a household with 3 adults that were diagnosed with SARS CoV-2 infection. Next generation sequencing based on MinION technology was performed on amplicons that were generated using a reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal and buccal swabs, as well as a bronchoalveolar lavage with mean qCt value of 36 based on the Nucleocapsid gene. Descriptive comparisons to known sequences in Botswana and internationally were made using mutation profiling analysis and phylogenetic inferences based on maximum likelihood. Samples from the dog’s owners were not available. A near-full length SARS-CoV-2 genome (~90% coverage) was successfully genotyped and classified under clade 20 O and Pango-Lineage AY.43 (Pango v.4.0.6 PLEARN-v1.3; 2022-04-21), which is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant of concern (VOC) (formerly called B.1.617.2, first detected in India). We did not identify novel mutations that may be used to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the dog and humans. In addition to S region mutation profiling, we performed phylogenetic analysis using Delta sequences from Botswana (n=1303); expectedly, the sequence isolated from the dog was closely related to the Delta sequences, particularly the AY.43, AY.116, and B.1.617.2 sub-lineages that were reported in Botswana within the same time frame. This is the first documented report of human-associated SARS-CoV-2 infection in a dog in Botswana. Although the direction of transmission remains unknown, this study further affirms the need for monitoring pets during different COVID-19 waves for possible clinically relevant SARS-CoV-2 transmissions between species.