Abstract
ABSTRACT The continuing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants calls for regular assessment to identify differences in viral replication, shedding and associated disease. In this study, we compared African green monkeys infected intranasally with either the UK B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant or its contemporary D614G progenitor. Both variants caused mild respiratory disease with no significant differences in clinical presentation. Significantly higher levels of viral RNA and infectious virus were found in upper and lower respiratory tract samples and tissues from B.1.1.7 infected animals. Interestingly, D614G infected animals showed significantly higher levels of viral RNA and infectious virus in rectal swabs and gastrointestinal tissues. Our results indicate that B.1.1.7 infection in African green monkeys is associated with increased respiratory replication and shedding but no disease enhancement similar to human B.1.1.7 cases.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019 as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant was first reported within the English county of Kent from the United Kingdom (UK) [3] and has since been classified as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC) associated with increased transmissibility and potentially increased disease severity but with minimal impact on the efficacy of monoclonal antibody treatment [4]
Infection with B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant was not associated with a significant increase in disease severity in the African green monkey (AGM) model
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019 as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Enhanced sequence-based surveillance and epidemiological studies have led to the identification of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying distinct mutations that may impact transmissibility, disease severity and/or effectiveness of treatments and vaccines. The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant was first reported within the English county of Kent from the United Kingdom (UK) [3] and has since been classified as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC) associated with increased transmissibility and potentially increased disease severity but with minimal impact on the efficacy of monoclonal antibody treatment [4]. Apart from clinical studies, experimental infections in animals – ideally in species closely related to humans such as nonhuman primates (NHPs) – is one way to assess viral shedding and disease severity of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants
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