Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 24, 2020

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Variation in Savanna Monkeys (Chlorocebus Spp.): Potential Risk for Zoonotic/Anthroponotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a Potential Model for Functional Studies

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  • Schmitt et al. found genomic evidence that several species of savanna monkey (Chlorocebus spp.) are likely as susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection as humans. These findings suggest they may be a promising animal model for SARS-CoV-2 infection for vaccine and therapy development as well as the potential for bi-directional zoonotic transfer in savanna monkey populations. This may have further implications of epidemic control in communities with frequent human/non-human primate interactions. 

Schmitt et al. (June 23, 2020). ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Variation in Savanna Monkeys (Chlorocebus Spp.): Potential Risk for Zoonotic/Anthroponotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a Potential Model for Functional Studies. PloS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235106