SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the respiratory tract of monkeys and cats, according to a Swiss study. The authors suggest monitoring the virus closely in these animals and closely related species.
–
Since the start of the pandemic, several reports have reported events of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and animals, as evidenced by the transmission of the virus between guardians and tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo. At New York.
A research group from the University of Bern and the Institute of Virology and Immunology used cell culture models to build a collection of in vitro cultures of cells lining the airways of various domestic and wild animals to determine which are likely to be infected.
The team isolated airway epithelial cells from the tracheobronchial tissues of dead animals and created a biobank of cells from different animal species. This avoids having to resort to animal testing.
To date, their biobank contains cells from twelve species: rhesus macaque, cat, ferret, dog, rabbit, pig, cattle, goat, llama, camel and two neotropical bat species. The researchers found that the results of their work dovetailed well with those of previously published studies, which used animal experiments.
Using whole genome sequencing of the virus, they also observed that SARS-CoV-2 replicated in in vitro monkey and cat models, without even needing to adapt. This research suggests that certain species of monkeys and cats may be particularly vulnerable to infections with SARS-CoV-2.
“Our results, as well as the reports of previously documented transmission events, indicate that there is a need to closely monitor these animals and other related species, whether they live in the wild, in captivity or in animals. individuals, ”notes Ronald Dijkman, of the Institute of Infectious Diseases at the University of Bern, quoted in a press release from the latter.
This information can be used by the authorities concerned to monitor the transmission of the virus between humans and animals.
More specifically, they should help them establish and adapt early detection programs in order to monitor animals that may act as potential reservoirs of retro-transmission of SARS-CoV-2, notes the Bernese alma mater.
“The general public will benefit, as it will prevent new variants of SARS-CoV-2 from developing in animal reservoirs and potentially being reintroduced into the human population, against which current vaccines may not be used. ‘protective effect’, adds Professor Dijkman.
The study results also show that in vitro culture models can be used as an alternative method, bypassing the traditional constraints of in vivo experiments, to provide insight into the host spectrum of SARS-CoV-2. German and Costa Rican researchers also participated in this work published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
– .
Related
