Histopathology and immunolabelling of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the tissues from naturally infected farmed mink in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: In March 2021 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of farmed mink was reported in north Poland. The virus was detected by real-time RT-PCR in throat swabs and blood samples. This study aimed to assess the histopathological changes and the localization of viral antigen in selected tissues collected from the culled, reportedly asymptomatic, SARS-CoV-2-positive mink from the farm.