Development of a coronavirus disease 2019 nonhuman primate model using airborne exposure

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Primate Models

Background:

• Airborne transmission is a primary route for SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
• Nonhuman primate models for studying airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission are limited, hindering research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate COVID-19 disease parameters in African green monkeys, rhesus macaques, and cynomolgus macaques after airborne SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
• To establish correlations between primate and human COVID-19 progression.
• To validate macaque models for natural SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Main Methods:

• Comparative evaluation of African green monkeys, rhesus macaques, and cynomolgus macaques.
• Airborne exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
• Assessment of respiratory abnormalities, viral shedding, fever, thrombocytopenia, and lung histopathology.

Main Results:

• All macaques exhibited respiratory abnormalities and viral shedding, confirming successful SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Cynomolgus macaques developed fever; African green and rhesus macaques showed thrombocytopenia.
• Lung tissues revealed Type II pneumocyte hyperplasia and alveolar fibrosis, particularly in cynomolgus and African green monkeys.

Conclusions:

• Macaques, in addition to African green monkeys, are susceptible to airborne SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• These findings establish viable macaque models for natural SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
• The models are suitable for evaluating medical countermeasures against COVID-19.