Open AccessSARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in White-Tailed Deer from Texas
Author(s) -
Pedro M. Palermo,
Jeanette Orbegozo,
Douglas M. Watts,
John C. Morrill
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
vector borne and zoonotic diseases (larchmont, n.y.)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.839
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1557-7759
pISSN - 1530-3667
DOI - 10.1089/vbz.2021.0094
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , serology , antibody , neutralization , virology , biology , white (mutation) , covid-19 , veterinary medicine , medicine , virus , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biochemistry , disease , gene
Serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer has been reported from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. This study was conducted to determine whether deer in Texas also had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Archived sera samples collected from deer in Travis County, Texas, during 2018, before and during the pandemic in 2021 were tested for neutralizing antibody to this virus by a standard plaque reduction neutralization assay. SARS-CoV-2 antibody was not detected in 40 deer sera samples collected during 2018, but 37% (20/54) samples collected in 2021 were positive for antibody. The seroprevalence rate between males and females differed significantly ( p < 0.05) and the highest rate (82%) was detected in the 1.5-year-old animals. These findings extended the geographical range of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer in the United States and further confirm that infection was common among this species.