Publication date: Jun 25, 2026
Zoonotic pathogens are central to the One Health framework, and the role of companion animals in SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in co-infection scenarios, remains unclear. This study investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2, hemopathogens, and co-infections in domiciled dogs and cats from COVID-19-positive households in Southeast Brazil. Between January 2021 and August 2022, samples were collected from 86 animals (48 dogs and 38 cats) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. SARS-CoV-2 was detected by RT-qPCR, and hemopathogens were identified using nested and species-specific PCR assays. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 9. 3% (8/86) of animals, including 14. 6% (7/48) of dogs and 2. 6% (1/38) of cats, and one canine sample was classified as Omicron BA. 1. Hemopathogens were detected in 85. 4% of dogs, mainly Bartonella spp. (70. 8%) and Anaplasma sp. (58. 3%), with frequent co-infections. In cats, Bartonella spp. (15. 8%) and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (21. 1%) predominated. None of the animals tested positive for ther order Piroplasmida or A. phagocytophilum. Most SARS-CoV-2-positive animals (75. 0%) were co-infected, but no significant association was observed between viral infection and hemopathogens (p > 0. 05). These findings demonstrate the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and hemopathogens in companion animals and reinforce the relevance of One Health surveillance.
Open Access PDF
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| August | Bartonella spp. |
| Brazil | Brazil |
| Cats | Companion animals |
| Dogs | Hemopathogens |
| Pathogens | One Health |
| SARS-CoV-2 |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | coinfections |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| pathway | REACTOME | SARS-CoV-2 Infection |
| disease | MESH | viral infection |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Angelica archangelica root |
| disease | MESH | infections |
| disease | MESH | Zoonoses |
| disease | MESH | severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Coenzyme M |
| disease | MESH | Infectious Diseases |
| disease | MESH | anaplasmosis |
| disease | MESH | included |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Edetic Acid |
| disease | MESH | tar |
| disease | MESH | Rad |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Water |
| disease | MESH | mul |
| disease | MESH | SRD |
| disease | MESH | msp4 |
| disease | MESH | BHC |