Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not

Abstract Syrian hamster are sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 and widely used as an animal model of COVID-19. In contrast, mice are not readily infected by the ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2 because of differences in their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Thus, even among rodents, susceptibi...

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Main Authors: Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Maki Kiso, Mutsumi Ito, Seiya Yamayoshi, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:npj Viruses
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00068-8
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author Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto
Maki Kiso
Mutsumi Ito
Seiya Yamayoshi
Yoshihiro Kawaoka
author_facet Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto
Maki Kiso
Mutsumi Ito
Seiya Yamayoshi
Yoshihiro Kawaoka
author_sort Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Syrian hamster are sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 and widely used as an animal model of COVID-19. In contrast, mice are not readily infected by the ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2 because of differences in their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Thus, even among rodents, susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 varies. Knowledge of virus transmissibility from humans to pet rodents is important for public health to assess the potential for transmission in the home and pet breeding and selling facilities. In this study, we assessed the sensitivity of guinea pigs and gerbils to SARS-CoV-2 isolated from humans, and found that gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not. Pet sellers often display hamsters with high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in the same area as gerbils, so caution should be exercised during COVID-19 outbreaks.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2948-1767
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publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Viruses
spelling doaj-art-fc0535727ff147f4b99bfb662bb4ad002024-11-24T12:14:11ZengNature Portfolionpj Viruses2948-17672024-11-01211610.1038/s44298-024-00068-8Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are notKiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto0Maki Kiso1Mutsumi Ito2Seiya Yamayoshi3Yoshihiro Kawaoka4Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of TokyoDivision of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of TokyoDivision of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of TokyoDivision of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of TokyoDivision of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of TokyoAbstract Syrian hamster are sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 and widely used as an animal model of COVID-19. In contrast, mice are not readily infected by the ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2 because of differences in their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Thus, even among rodents, susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 varies. Knowledge of virus transmissibility from humans to pet rodents is important for public health to assess the potential for transmission in the home and pet breeding and selling facilities. In this study, we assessed the sensitivity of guinea pigs and gerbils to SARS-CoV-2 isolated from humans, and found that gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not. Pet sellers often display hamsters with high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in the same area as gerbils, so caution should be exercised during COVID-19 outbreaks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00068-8
spellingShingle Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto
Maki Kiso
Mutsumi Ito
Seiya Yamayoshi
Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
npj Viruses
title Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
title_full Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
title_fullStr Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
title_full_unstemmed Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
title_short Sensitivity of rodents to SARS-CoV-2: Gerbils are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but guinea pigs are not
title_sort sensitivity of rodents to sars cov 2 gerbils are susceptible to sars cov 2 but guinea pigs are not
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00068-8
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