Small Particle Aerosol Exposure of African Green Monkeys to MERS-CoV as a Model for Highly Pathogenic Coronavirus
Abstract:
Emerging coronaviruses are a global public health threat because of the potential for person-to-person transmission and high mortality rates. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012, causing lethal respiratory disease in »35% of cases. Primate models of coronavirus disease are needed to support development of therapeutics, but few models exist that recapitulate severe disease. For initial development of a MERS-CoV primate model, 12 African green monkeys were exposed to 103, 104, or 105 PFU target doses of aerosolized MERS-CoV. We observed a dose-dependent increase of respiratory disease signs, although all 12 monkeys survived for the 28-day duration of the study. This study describes dose-dependent effects of MERS-CoV infection of primates and uses a route of infection with potential relevance to MERS-CoV transmission. Aerosol exposure of African green monkeys might provide a platform approach for the development of primate models of novel coronavirus diseases.
Insights
African green monkeys exposed to aerosolized Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) showed dose-dependent respiratory illness. This research supports developing MERS-CoV primate models for new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Primate Models
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Emerging coronaviruses pose significant global health risks due to transmissibility and high mortality.
- Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), identified in 2012, causes severe respiratory illness with over 35% fatality.
- Effective therapeutic development necessitates robust primate models, which are currently limited for coronavirus diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) primate model.
- To investigate the dose-dependent effects of aerosolized MERS-CoV infection in African green monkeys.
- To assess the potential of African green monkeys as a platform for modeling novel coronavirus diseases.
Main Methods:
- Twelve African green monkeys were inoculated with aerosolized MERS-CoV at doses of 10^3, 10^4, or 10^5 plaque-forming units (PFU).
- Animals were monitored for 28 days post-exposure to assess disease progression and clinical signs.
- The study focused on evaluating dose-dependent responses to MERS-CoV infection via aerosol exposure.
Main Results:
- A dose-dependent increase in respiratory disease signs was observed in the infected monkeys.
- All 12 African green monkeys survived the 28-day study period.
- The study demonstrated that aerosol exposure is a viable route for MERS-CoV infection in this primate model.
Conclusions:
- Aerosol exposure of African green monkeys to MERS-CoV results in a dose-dependent respiratory illness.
- This model provides a valuable platform for studying MERS-CoV pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutics.
- The African green monkey model may be adaptable for developing primate models for other emerging coronavirus diseases.
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