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.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Transmission, variants of concern (VOC), African green monkey, virulence, 【초록키워드】 variant, SARS-CoV-2 variant, Infection, Replication, Viral, SARS-CoV-2 variants, B.1.1.7, viral replication, Respiratory disease, Rectal swabs, D614G, shedding, Viral RNA, respiratory, disease, Infectious virus, Lower respiratory tract, (alpha, green monkeys, no significant differences, tissue, no significant difference, tissues, African green monkeys, green, gastrointestinal tissues, upper and lower respiratory tract samples, rectal swab, identify, caused, in viral, significantly higher, mild respiratory, infected intranasally, 【제목키워드】 variant, Replication, exhibit,