Hamster and ferret experimental infection with intranasal low dose of a single strain of SARS-CoV-2

• DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001567
• Publication Date: 2021-02-22T08:15:55Z
• Authors: Elodie Monchatre-...; Sandrine Lesellier; Marine Wasniewski; Evelyne Picard-Meyer; Céline Richomme; Franck Boué; Sandra Lacôte; Séverine Murri; Coralie Pulido; Johann Vulin; Francisco J. Salg...; Meriadeg Ar Gouilh; Alexandre Servat; Philippe Marianneau
• Keywords: Pathogenesis; Mesocricetus; Syrian hamsters; Infectious dose; Hendra Virus

Understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is key to developing preventive and therapeutic strategies against COVID-19, in case severe illness but also when disease mild. The use appropriate experimental animal models remains central vivo exploration physiopathology antiviral strategies. This study describes intranasal ferrets hamsters with low doses low-passage clinical French isolate UCN19, describing levels, excretion, immune responses pathological patterns both species. Individual 10 3 p.f.u. induced a more than ferrets. Viral RNA was detected lungs not brain (olfactory bulb and/or medulla oblongata) Overall, remained mild, serological from 7 days post-inoculation respectively. virus became undetectable pathology resolved within 14 days. kinetics levels can be used as for understanding pathogenicity SARS-CoV-2, testing protective effect drugs.