Abstract
The current pandemic coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was
recently identified in patients with an acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
To compare its pathogenesis with that of previously emerging coronaviruses, we inoculated cynomolgus
macaques with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)–CoV and compared the
pathology and virology with historical reports of SARS-CoV infections. In SARS-CoV-2–infected
macaques, virus was excreted from nose and throat in the absence of clinical signs and detected in
type I and II pneumocytes in foci of diffuse alveolar damage and in ciliated epithelial cells of nasal,
bronchial, and bronchiolar mucosae. In SARS-CoV infection, lung lesions were typically more severe,
whereas they were milder in MERS-CoV infection, where virus was detected mainly in type II
pneumocytes. These data show that SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19–like disease in macaques and
provides a new model to test preventive and therapeutic strategies.
recently identified in patients with an acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
To compare its pathogenesis with that of previously emerging coronaviruses, we inoculated cynomolgus
macaques with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)–CoV and compared the
pathology and virology with historical reports of SARS-CoV infections. In SARS-CoV-2–infected
macaques, virus was excreted from nose and throat in the absence of clinical signs and detected in
type I and II pneumocytes in foci of diffuse alveolar damage and in ciliated epithelial cells of nasal,
bronchial, and bronchiolar mucosae. In SARS-CoV infection, lung lesions were typically more severe,
whereas they were milder in MERS-CoV infection, where virus was detected mainly in type II
pneumocytes. These data show that SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19–like disease in macaques and
provides a new model to test preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1012-1015 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 368 |
Issue number | 6494 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 29 May 2020 |