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Replication, pathogenicity, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in minks

Lei Shuai1, Gongxun Zhong1, Quan Yuan2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China.

National Science Review
|October 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Minks can get and spread SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to people. A vaccine protected minks from infection and lung damage, showing promise for preventing transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Minks are farmed globally and have been identified as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans.
  • The biological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 within mink populations remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the replication and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in minks.
  • To assess the pathological effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in minks.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in a mink model.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental infection of minks with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Assessment of viral replication in upper and lower respiratory tracts.
  • Histopathological examination of lung tissues.
  • Evaluation of a spike protein-based subunit vaccine.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently in the respiratory tracts of minks.
  • Efficient transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between minks via respiratory droplets was observed.
  • Pulmonary lesions in infected minks resemble those seen in human COVID-19 patients.
  • A subunit vaccine significantly reduced viral replication and lung pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Minks serve as a relevant animal model for studying SARS-CoV-2 and evaluating COVID-19 countermeasures.
  • Vaccination of minks is a viable strategy to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission from this animal reservoir to humans.
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2animal modelminkpathogenicityreplicationtransmission

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