Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza A virus co‐infection alters viral tropism and haematological composition in Syrian hamsters. Issue 5 (6th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Hye Kwon; Kang, Jung‐Ah; Lyoo, Kwang‐Soo; Le, Tran Bac; Yeo, Yoon Hwan; Wong, Sook‐San; Na, Woonsung; Song, Daesub; Webby, Richard J; Zanin, Mark; Jeong, Dae Gwin; Yoon, Sun‐Woo
• Is Part Of: Transboundary and emerging diseases. Volume 69:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: e3297
• Page End: e3304
• Publication Date: 2022-06-06
• Subjects: co‐infection -- haematological change -- influenza A virus -- SARS‐CoV‐2 -- viral tropism; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1865-1674

Abstract

Abstract: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and its overlap with the influenza season lead to concerns over severe disease caused by the influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) co‐infections. Using a Syrian hamster co‐infection model with SARS‐CoV‐2 and the pandemic influenza virus A/California/04/2009 (H1N1), we found (a) more severe disease in co‐infected animals, compared to those infected with influenza virus alone but not SARS‐CoV‐2 infection alone; (b) altered haematological changes in only co‐infected animals and (c) altered influenza virus tropism in the respiratory tracts of co‐infected animals. Overall, our study revealed that co‐infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza virus is associated with altered disease severity and tissue tropism, as well as haematological changes, compared to infection with either virus alone.