Prolonged Virus Shedding and Intestinal Inflammation in a Rhesus Macaque After SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Author Information
Author(s): Böszörményi Kinga P., Stammes Marieke A., Fagrouch Zahra, Acar Fidel, Niphuis Henk, Kayere Gwendoline Kiemenyi, Meijer Lisette, Snijder Eric J., van der Hoek Lia, Berkhout Ben, Bogers Willy M., van den Brand Judith M. A., Kondova Ivanela, Verstrepen Babs E., Verschoor Ernst J.
Primary Institution: Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, Netherlands
Hypothesis
Can SARS-CoV-2 cause prolonged fecal shedding and intestinal inflammation in rhesus macaques?
Conclusion
The study found that a rhesus macaque infected with SARS-CoV-2 experienced prolonged fecal shedding of the virus and intestinal inflammation.
Supporting Evidence
- The macaque showed prolonged fecal shedding of viral RNA for over 3 weeks.
- Positron emission tomography revealed increased intestinal glucose metabolism related to ileal inflammation.
- Viral RNA was detected in anal swabs consistently until day 27 post-infection.
Takeaway
A monkey infected with the COVID-19 virus kept spreading the virus in its poop for a long time and had tummy problems.
Methodology
The study involved inoculating a healthy female rhesus macaque with SARS-CoV-2 and monitoring viral RNA in various samples over six weeks.
Limitations
The study is based on a single animal model, which may not fully represent the broader population.
Participant Demographics
One healthy female rhesus macaque, aged 10 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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