Abstract
SummaryThe current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) outbreak has been rapidly spreading worldwide, causing serious global concern. The role that animal hosts play in disease transmission is still understudied and researchers wish to find suitable animal models for fundamental research and drug discovery. In this systematic review, we aimed to compile and discuss all articles that describe experimental or natural infections with SARS‐CoV‐2, from the initial discovery of the virus in December 2019 through to October 2020. We systematically searched four databases (Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science). The following data were extracted from the included studies: type of infection (natural or experimental), age, sample numbers, dose, route of inoculation, viral replication, detection method, clinical symptoms and transmission. Fifty‐four studies were included, of which 34 were conducted on animal reservoirs (naturally or experimentally infected), and 20 involved models for testing vaccines and therapeutics. Our search revealed that Rousettus aegyptiacus (fruit bats), pangolins, felines, mink, ferrets and rabbits were all susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2, while dogs were weakly susceptible and pigs, poultry, and tree shrews were not. In addition, virus replication in mice, mink, hamsters and ferrets resembled subclinical human infection, so these animals might serve as useful models for future studies to evaluate vaccines or antiviral agents and to study host‐pathogen interactions. Our review comprehensively summarized current evidence on SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in animals and their usefulness as models for studying vaccines and antiviral drugs. Our findings may direct future studies for vaccine development, antiviral drugs and therapeutic agents to manage SARS‐CoV‐2‐caused diseases.
Highlights
Our systematic search revealed that R. aegyptiacus fruit bats, pangolins, felines, minks, non‐human primates (NHPs), hamsters, ferrets and rabbits are all susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2, dogs are weakly susceptible, whereas pigs, poultry, and tree shrews are not susceptible to SARS‐ CoV‐2 infection (Table 1 and Table S1)
R. aegyptiacus fruit bats, pangolins, felines, minks, NHPs, hamsters, ferrets, and rabbits are all susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2, and dogs are weakly susceptible
Mink, hamsters, and ferrets developed clinical signs of the infection that are very similar to that in humans. These animals might serve as robust useful small‐animal models for future studies to test the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral agents
Summary
Animal models are critical for testing potential vaccines and therapeutic agents.[8] A suitable animal model is one that can mimic human disease in terms of viral load, morbidity, clinical signs, and the immune response. We discuss the ability of these animals to mimic Covid‐19 pathogenesis in humans, as well as their usefulness as ideal models for preclinical testing of vaccine candidates and therapeutic agents. Exclusion criteria included (1) infection not clearly defined as SARS‐CoV‐2, (2) non‐animal models, (3) reviews, meta‐analyses, book reviews, letters, abstracts and cases and (4) non‐English reports. All databases were searched from December 2019 to October 2020 for relevant studies on Covid‐19 infection in animals. Bibliographies of the included studies were checked manually for any additional eligible studies not captured in the systematic search Figure 2
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