Table 4 Current evidence on SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in vivo

From: Potential intestinal infection and faecal–oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Model

Phenotypes during SARS-CoV-2 infection

In vitro studies

SARS-CoV-2-infected human intestinal-derived cell line69,126

Efficiently infected Caco-2 cells; partial infection T84 cells

Bat organoids92

Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Human small intestine organoids127,128

Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection; induction of ISGs

Human colon-derived organoids69,92,93

Infection of 10% of colon organoid cells; induction of type III interferons and ISGs

Animal modela

hACE2 transgenic mice138

Viral RNA in the intestine on day 1 post-infection; no histological changes in gastrointestinal tract

hACE2 knock-in mice133

Viral RNA in faeces of aged mice; intragastric infection led to lung inflammation

Golden Syrian hamster137,142

Continuous viral RNA shedding in faeces; viral antigens in the intestine; successfully infected via fomites

Ferret134,139,141

Continuous viral RNA shedding in faeces; viral antigens in the intestine; isolation of infectious particles from nasal swabs after intragastric transfer of faecal supernatant

Cat139

Positive rectal swabs; viral RNA in the intestine

Dog139

Positive rectal swabs

Rhesus macaques135,136

Prolonged faecal viral shedding after being negative in respiratory samples; viral RNA in the intestinal tissue; inflammatory infiltration in the intestine; viral antigens in the intestine

Cynomolgus macaques144

Viral RNA in faeces; viral RNA in ileum

  1. hACE2, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ISGs, interferon-stimulated genes; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. aAnimals were infected via intranasal route unless otherwise noted.
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