Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 Variants in H11-K18-hACE2 Hamsters (preprint)

This study aims to comprehensively characterize the SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 variants using K18 hACE2 transgenic mice and golden hamsters as model organisms. Previous research on SARS-CoV-2 has utilized both mouse and hamster models, leading to conflicting results concerning the virus's lethality. In our study, the finding suggests that H11-K18 hACE2 golden hamsters closely mimic the disease progression observed in human COVID-19 cases caused by BA.5 variants, demonstrating consistent severity and symptoms comparable to severe infections. Additionally, hamsters exhibit heightened respiratory viral replication, accurately reflecting the clinical viral kinetics observed in humans. The study emphasizes the critical importance of selecting an appropriate animal model for SARS-CoV-2 research, while also providing robust support for the hypothesis that BA.5 variants contribute to fatal outcomes in COVID-19 cases. These findings highlight the pivotal role of the golden hamster model in advancing our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Cardiac Biomarker Abnormalities Are Closely Related to Prognosis in Patients with COVID-19

武漢大学人民医院に入院した新型コロナウイルス感染症の重症患者148例(男性67例、女性81例、平均57.2±17.7歳)を対象に、心筋バイオマーカーと予後との関連性について検討した。患者148例のうち99例(66.9%)は高血圧症、糖尿病、貧血、腎障害、肝障害、慢性閉塞性肺疾患、心血管疾患、悪性腫瘍等の基礎疾患を有していた。患者を転帰に応じて、生存群96例(男性39.6%、平均51.4±16.1歳)と死亡群52例(男性55.8%、平均68.6±14.8歳)の2群に分類した。血中NT-proBNP(基準範囲は450pg/mL未満)は死亡群(1035.46pg/mL)が生存群(81.15pg/mL)より有意に高く、CK-MBも死亡群(2.62ng/mL)が生存群(0.67ng/mL)より有意に高かった(いずれもP<0.001)。心筋トロポニンcTnIは生存群で0.000であったが、死亡群は0.131ng/mLであった。血清ミオグロビンは死亡群(101.83μg/L)が生存群(26.86μg/L)より有意に高かった(P<0.001)。心血管合併症を呈した19例のうち14例が死亡した。

Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus in semen and testicular biopsy specimen of COVID-19 patients (preprint)

Background: As of March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a pandemic. Expending our understanding of the transmission routes of the viral infection is crucial in controlling the outbreak. It is unclear whether the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) can directly infect the testes or male genital tract and be sexually transmitted from males. Methods: From January 31 to March 14, 2020, 12 patients in recovery and one patient died of COVID-19 were included in this descriptive study. The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, chest CT scans and outcome data were recorded. To examine whether there is sexual transmission from male, we employed realtime polymerase chain reaction testing (RT-PCR) to detect 2019-nCov in semen or testicular biopsy specimen. Findings: The age range of the 12 patients in recovery was 22-38 years. None of the patients developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia. As of March 14, 2020, ten patients discharged from the hospital while the rest 2 had developed into recovery stage. All of the patients in recovery tested negative for 2019-nCoV RNA in semen samples. Another died patient was 67 years old, who died in March 10, 2020 and tissue sample via testicular biopsy was tested negative for viral RNA. Conclusion: No positive RT-PCR result was found in the semen or testicular biopsy specimen. The results from this study show no evidence of sexual transmission of 2019-nCov from males.