Didkowska Anna, Martín-Santander Víctor, Wojciechowska Marlena, Olech Wanda, Anusz Krzysztof, Fernández Antonio, Davies Janine E, Gómez Álex, Peña-Fresneda Natacha, Arias Maykel, Lacasta Delia, Ortín Aurora, Pérez María Dolores, Villanueva-Saz Sergio, Marteles Diana
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, Warsaw, 02-787, Poland.
Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 Feb 28;21(1):120. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04593-3.
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).
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.
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.
严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）的起源尚不清楚。然而，该病毒很可能是从动物宿主传播给人类的。确定对SARS-CoV-2易感的动物物种对于理解跨物种传播给人类至关重要。本研究的独特之处在于关注濒危物种欧洲野牛（Bison bonasus）对SARS-CoV-2的易感性。本研究的目的是使用内部酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）方法和病毒中和试验（VNT），调查大量（n = 238）自由生活和圈养的波兰欧洲野牛中SARS-CoV-2抗体的出现情况。
发现SARS-CoV-2感染的血清阳性率为1.29%（3/232）。在病毒中和试验中，没有一只血清阳性的欧洲野牛检测呈阳性。所有血清阳性动物均为圈养牛群的一部分。
本研究是波兰自由放养和圈养欧洲野牛中SARS-CoV-2血清阳性率的首次报告。基于这些发现，欧洲野牛似乎是对SARS-CoV-2较不易感的物种。最可能的传播途径是从人类到欧洲野牛，因为所有血清阳性动物都属于与游客和饲养员等间接人类来源有接触的圈养牛群。
