Serological detection of sars-cov-2 (covid-19) in cats in Kota Bharu and Bachok, Kelantan

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 where it can be transmitted from humans to humans via contaminated respiratory droplets. However there are limited studies regarding the possibility of human to animal transmission of COVID-19. The aim of this research is to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cats who had previous exposure of COVID-19 from their owners who were tested positive within the region Kota Bharu and Bachok, Kelantan using serological detection via ELISA. Posters and consent form were blasted through social medias and a total of 18 blood samples were collected from the respondents’ cats. Serum samples were used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kit by IDvet in detecting any presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus’ nucleocapsid protein. The negative ELISA test kit indicated the absence of any SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies from the serum sample obtained. To sum up this research, it was concluded that all cats involved were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 even with prior exposure to COVID-19 from their owners as no antibodies were detected.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, ELISA, Nucleocapsid protein