SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) hospitalizations and deaths disportionally affect males and older ages. Here we investigated the impact of male sex and age comparing sex-matched or age-matched ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2. Differences in temperature regulation was identified for male ferrets which was accompanied by prolonged viral replication in the upper respiratory tract after infection. Gene expression analysis of the nasal turbinates indicated that 1-year-old female ferrets had significant increases in interferon response genes post infection which were delayed in males. These results provide insight into COVID-19 and suggests that older males may play a role in viral transmission due to decreased antiviral responses.
【저자키워드】 immunology, SARS-CoV-2, viral infection, Virology, viral pathogenesis, Infection, Viral host response, Viral immune evasion, Virus-host interactions, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, coronavirus, Hospitalization, Transmission, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, coronavirus 2, respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Viral, ferret, viral replication, Gene expression analysis, male, female, death, age, Viral transmission, antiviral responses, respiratory, expression, interferon response, upper respiratory tract, Analysis, Male sex, nasal turbinate, nasal turbinates, Older, temperature regulation, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, post infection, Affect, difference, males, indicated, investigated, in viral, significant increases in, accompanied, infected with SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 SARS-COV-2 infection, ferret, age, interferon response, viral burden,