SARS-CoV-2 disease severity and transmission efficiency is increased for airborne compared to fomite exposure in Syrian hamsters

Julia R. Port, Claude Kwe Yinda, Irene Offei Owusu, Myndi Holbrook, Robert Fischer, Trenton Bushmaker, Victoria A. Avanzato, Jonathan E. Schulz, Craig Martens, Neeltje van Doremalen, Chad S. Clancy and Vincent J. Munster ()
Additional contact information
Julia R. Port: National Institutes of Health
Claude Kwe Yinda: National Institutes of Health
Irene Offei Owusu: National Institutes of Health
Myndi Holbrook: National Institutes of Health
Robert Fischer: National Institutes of Health
Trenton Bushmaker: National Institutes of Health
Victoria A. Avanzato: National Institutes of Health
Jonathan E. Schulz: National Institutes of Health
Craig Martens: National Institutes of Health
Neeltje van Doremalen: National Institutes of Health
Chad S. Clancy: National Institutes of Health
Vincent J. Munster: National Institutes of Health

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is driven by contact, fomite, and airborne transmission. The relative contribution of different transmission routes remains subject to debate. Here, we show Syrian hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection through intranasal, aerosol and fomite exposure. Different routes of exposure present with distinct disease manifestations. Intranasal and aerosol inoculation causes severe respiratory pathology, higher virus loads and increased weight loss. In contrast, fomite exposure leads to milder disease manifestation characterized by an anti-inflammatory immune state and delayed shedding pattern. Whereas the overall magnitude of respiratory virus shedding is not linked to disease severity, the onset of shedding is. Early shedding is linked to an increase in disease severity. Airborne transmission is more efficient than fomite transmission and dependent on the direction of the airflow. Carefully characterized SARS-CoV-2 transmission models will be crucial to assess potential changes in transmission and pathogenic potential in the light of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25156-8

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