Intrinsic host susceptibility among multiple species to intranasal SARS-CoV-2 identifies diverse virological, biodistribution and pathological outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 exhibits a diverse host species range with variable outcomes, enabling differential host susceptibility studies to assess suitability for pre-clinical countermeasure and pathogenesis studies. Baseline virological, molecular and pathological outcomes were determined among multiple species-one Old World non-human primate (NHP) species (cynomolgus macaques), two New World NHP species (red-bellied tamarins; common marmosets) and Syrian hamsters-following single-dose, atraumatic intranasal administration of SARS-CoV-2/Victoria-01. After serial sacrifice 2, 10 and 28-days post-infection (dpi), hamsters and cynomolgus macaques displayed differential virus biodistribution across respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems.

Mucosal Responses to Zika Virus Infection in Cynomolgus Macaques.

Zika virus (ZIKV) cases continue to be reported, and no vaccine or specific antiviral agent has been approved for the prevention or treatment of infection. Though ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitos, cases of sexual transmission and prolonged viral RNA presence in semen have been reported. In this observational study, we report the mucosal responses to sub-cutaneous and mucosal ZIKV exposure in cynomolgus macaques during acute and late chronic infection.

Passive immunisation of convalescent human anti-Zika plasma protects against challenge with New World Zika virus in cynomolgus macaques.

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes neurological complications in susceptible individuals, highlighted in the recent South American epidemic. Natural ZIKV infection elicits host responses capable of preventing subsequent re-infection, raising expectations for effective vaccination. Defining protective immune correlates will inform viral intervention strategies, particularly vaccine development.

High susceptibility, viral dynamics and persistence of South American Zika virus in New World monkey species.

South American Zika virus (ZIKV) recently emerged as a novel human pathogen, linked with neurological disorders. However, comparative ZIKV infectivity studies in New World primates are lacking. Two members of the Callitrichidae family, common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus), were highly susceptible to sub-cutaneous challenge with the Puerto Rico-origin ZIKV strain.

New Strains Intended for the Production of Inactivated Polio Vaccine at Low-Containment After Eradication.

Poliomyelitis has nearly been eradicated through the efforts of the World Health Organization's Global Eradication Initiative raising questions on containment of the virus after it has been eliminated in the wild. Most manufacture of inactivated polio vaccines currently requires the growth of large amounts of highly virulent poliovirus, and release from a production facility after eradication could be disastrous; WHO have therefore recommended the use of the attenuated Sabin strains for production as a safer option although it is recognised that they can revert to a transmissible paralytic form. We have exploited the understanding of the molecular virology of the Sabin vaccine strains to design viruses that are extremely genetically stable and hyperattenuated.

Allogeneic lymphocyte transfer in MHC-identical siblings and MHC-identical unrelated Mauritian cynomolgus macaques.

The detailed study of immune effector mechanisms in primate models of infectious disease has been limited by the inability to adoptively transfer lymphocytes from vaccinated animals into naïve immunocompetent recipients. Recent advances in our understanding of the Major Histocompatibility Complex diversity of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques enabled the establishment of a breeding program to generate Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-identical animals. The current study utilised this resource to achieve an improved model of adoptive transfer of lymphocytes in macaques.

Antibody responses after intravaginal immunisation with trimeric HIV-1 CN54 clade C gp140 in Carbopol gel are augmented by systemic priming or boosting with an adjuvanted formulation.

Optimum strategies to elicit and maintain antibodies at mucosal portals of virus entry are critical for the development of vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here we show in non-human primates that a novel regimen of repeated intravaginal delivery of a non-adjuvanted, soluble recombinant trimeric HIV-1(CN54) clade C envelope glycoprotein (gp140) administered in Carbopol gel can prime for B-cell responses even in the absence of seroconversion. Following 3 cycles of repeated intravaginal administration, throughout each intermenses interval, 3 of 4 macaques produced or boosted systemic and mucosally-detected antibodies upon intramuscular immunisation with gp140 formulated in AS01 adjuvant.