Current Advances and Applications of Animal Models in SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a significant global health concern.
• Identifying effective vaccines and treatments requires understanding viral pathogenesis.
• Various animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, complicating disease control and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize existing and potential animal models for SARS-CoV-2 research.
• To provide guidance on selecting appropriate animal models for specific research objectives.
• To facilitate the development of novel vaccines and antiviral therapies for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies involving animal models and SARS-CoV-2.
• Compilation of data on host range, susceptibility, and disease manifestation in different species.
• Analysis of the utility of various animal models in preclinical vaccine and drug evaluation.

Main Results:

• Identified several key animal models, including transgenic mice, cats, hamsters, nonhuman primates, and ferrets.
• Highlighted the role of bats as reservoirs and pangolins as potential intermediate hosts.
• Detailed the importance of animal models in studying SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and evaluating countermeasures.

Conclusions:

• Appropriate animal models are essential for advancing COVID-19 research.
• Selecting the right animal model is crucial for successful preclinical studies.
• This review aids in the informed selection of animal models to accelerate COVID-19 prevention and control strategies.