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The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 Variant Can Transmit in Rats But Not in Mice

Cheng Zhang1,2, Huan Cui1,3, Entao Li1

  • 1Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|May 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The B.1.351 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant replicates in mice and rats but transmits poorly in mice. However, moderate transmission occurred in rats, suggesting a potential risk for spillback to humans.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, like B.1.351, have shown potential to infect new hosts.
  • Natural transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in wild rodent populations remains largely undocumented.
  • Understanding host range and transmission dynamics is crucial for controlling viral spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the replication and contact transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant in mice and rats.
  • To assess the potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between different animal species, including rodents and hamsters.
  • To determine the risk of SARS-CoV-2 variant transmission in rodent populations and potential spillback to humans.

Main Methods:

  • Inoculation of mice (BALB/c, C57BL/6) and rats with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant.
  • Assessment of viral replication in the respiratory tracts of infected animals.
  • Evaluation of contact transmission between inoculated and naive animals within the same species and between species (hamster to mouse).
  • Testing transmission of a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain (C57MA14) in mice.

Main Results:

  • The B.1.351 variant efficiently infected and replicated in the airways of both mice and rats.
  • No transmission of B.1.351 was observed between mice (BALB/c or C57BL/6) via direct contact.
  • Moderate contact transmission of B.1.351 occurred in rats.
  • The B.1.351 variant did not transmit from Syrian hamsters to mice.
  • The mouse-adapted strain C57MA14 did not transmit in mice.

Conclusions:

  • The risk of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant transmission in mice is extremely low.
  • Transmission of the B.1.351 variant in rats is possible and warrants further attention.
  • Potential natural transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants in rats and subsequent spillback to humans should be monitored.
Keywords:
B.1.351SARS-CoV-2contact transmissionmicerats

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