Abstract
A preliminary vaccination trial against the emergent pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, was completed in captive black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes; BFF) to assess safety, immunogenicity, and anti-viral efficacy. Vaccination and boosting of 15 BFF with purified SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit protein produced a nearly 150-fold increase in mean antibody titers compared to pre-vaccination titers. Serum antibody responses were highest in young animals, but in all vaccinees, antibody response declined rapidly. Anti-viral activity from vaccinated and unvaccinated BFF was determined in vitro, as well as in vivo with a passive serum transfer study in mice. Transgenic mice that received BFF serum transfers and were subsequently challenged with SARS-CoV-2 had lung viral loads that negatively correlated ( p < 0.05) with the BFF serum titer received. Lastly, an experimental challenge study in a small group of BFF was completed to test susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Despite viral replication and shedding in the upper respiratory tract for up to 7 days post-challenge, no clinical disease was observed in either vaccinated or naive animals. The lack of morbidity or mortality observed indicates SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to affect wild BFF populations, but infected captive animals pose a potential risk, albeit low, for humans and other animals.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; black-footed ferrets; experimental challenge; mustelids; vaccination.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, vaccination., mustelids, experimental challenge, black-footed ferrets, 【초록키워드】 Efficacy, vaccination, Mortality, Trial, susceptibility, Antibody Response, Human, in vitro, Anti-viral, Protein, serum, pathogen, mice, ferret, viral replication, morbidity, Antibody titer, in vivo, upper respiratory tract, subunit, potential risk, transfer, vaccinees, clinical disease, lung viral load, SARS-CoV-2 S1, pre-vaccination, Affect, populations, produced, highest, lack, unlikely, was determined, indicate, correlated, increase in, purified, declined, 【제목키워드】 immunogenicity, Safety, ferret, challenge, candidate,