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SARS-CoV-2 Infection Causes Hyperglycemia in Cats
Yufei Zhang1,2, Jindong Gao2, Kun Huang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 31, 2022
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect cat pancreas, leading to hyperglycemia. This study provides evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in pancreatic islet cells, suggesting a link to metabolic changes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Endocrinology
- Pancreatic research
Background:
- Isolated reports link COVID-19 to new-onset diabetes.
- Hypotheses suggest SARS-CoV-2 infects pancreatic cells, but experimental evidence is lacking.
- Previous research has not confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of pancreatic tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if SARS-CoV-2 infects pancreatic tissue.
- To explore the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pancreatic function and glucose metabolism.
- To provide experimental evidence for SARS-CoV-2 targeting the pancreas.
Main Methods:
- Cats were infected with a high dose of SARS-CoV-2.
- Pancreatic tissues were analyzed for viral RNA and proteins using immunohistochemistry.
- Immune protection experiments were conducted on immunized cats.
Main Results:
- Hyperglycemia was observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected cats.
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA and nucleocapsid protein (NP) were detected in cat pancreatic tissues, specifically within islet cells.
- Viral NP and spike proteins were found in glucagon-positive cells, many expressing ACE2.
- Immunized cats showed no increase in blood glucose post-challenge.
Conclusions:
- The cat pancreas is identified as a target for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Infection of glucagon-positive cells may contribute to metabolic dysregulation in SARS-CoV-2-infected cats.
- These findings support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 can directly affect pancreatic function.
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