Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model
IntroductionPost-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a long-lasting, multisystemic syndrome affecting approximately 30% of individuals after acute COVID-19, with neurological symptoms among the most prevalent and debilitating. Despite its substantial global health impact, the biological mechanisms underlyin...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1646616/full |
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| author | Carla Ruiz-Casas Carla Ruiz-Casas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Núria Roca Núria Roca Mònica Pérez Mònica Pérez Guillermo Cantero Guillermo Cantero Laura Martín Laura Martín Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Marta Ruiz-Riol Marta Ruiz-Riol Christian Brander Christian Brander Christian Brander Carla Usai Carla Usai Júlia Vergara-Alert Júlia Vergara-Alert Joaquim Segalés Joaquim Segalés |
| author_facet | Carla Ruiz-Casas Carla Ruiz-Casas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Núria Roca Núria Roca Mònica Pérez Mònica Pérez Guillermo Cantero Guillermo Cantero Laura Martín Laura Martín Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Marta Ruiz-Riol Marta Ruiz-Riol Christian Brander Christian Brander Christian Brander Carla Usai Carla Usai Júlia Vergara-Alert Júlia Vergara-Alert Joaquim Segalés Joaquim Segalés |
| author_sort | Carla Ruiz-Casas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionPost-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a long-lasting, multisystemic syndrome affecting approximately 30% of individuals after acute COVID-19, with neurological symptoms among the most prevalent and debilitating. Despite its substantial global health impact, the biological mechanisms underlying PCC remain poorly understood, underscoring the need for validated animal models.MethodsTo address this, we conducted a longitudinal study using the golden Syrian hamster model, integrating virological, immunological, histopathological, and behavioral analyses from the acute phase to 60 days post-inoculation.ResultsOur results showed persistent viral RNA, prolonged immune dysregulation, and behavioral changes that mirrored key features of human PCC.DiscussionAlthough fully reproducing PCC in animal models is inherently challenging due to its complex and heterogeneous presentation in humans, the use of complementary models with distinct phenotypes is essential for elucidating its pathophysiology. These results aim to contribute valuable insights into the biological basis of PCC and support the development of targeted preventative and therapeutic strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1c5c5c1fa704b62bcf376cd41e87c69 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1c5c5c1fa704b62bcf376cd41e87c692025-08-20T04:00:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-08-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16466161646616Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster modelCarla Ruiz-Casas0Carla Ruiz-Casas1Ferran Tarrés-Freixas2Ferran Tarrés-Freixas3Ferran Tarrés-Freixas4Núria Roca5Núria Roca6Mònica Pérez7Mònica Pérez8Guillermo Cantero9Guillermo Cantero10Laura Martín11Laura Martín12Alex Olvera13Alex Olvera14Alex Olvera15Marta Ruiz-Riol16Marta Ruiz-Riol17Christian Brander18Christian Brander19Christian Brander20Carla Usai21Carla Usai22Júlia Vergara-Alert23Júlia Vergara-Alert24Joaquim Segalés25Joaquim Segalés26Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainBiosciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainBiosciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, SpainIrsi-Caixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, SpainCIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainIrsi-Caixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, SpainCIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainIrsi-Caixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, SpainCIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainIRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainUnitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, SpainDepartment de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, SpainIntroductionPost-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a long-lasting, multisystemic syndrome affecting approximately 30% of individuals after acute COVID-19, with neurological symptoms among the most prevalent and debilitating. Despite its substantial global health impact, the biological mechanisms underlying PCC remain poorly understood, underscoring the need for validated animal models.MethodsTo address this, we conducted a longitudinal study using the golden Syrian hamster model, integrating virological, immunological, histopathological, and behavioral analyses from the acute phase to 60 days post-inoculation.ResultsOur results showed persistent viral RNA, prolonged immune dysregulation, and behavioral changes that mirrored key features of human PCC.DiscussionAlthough fully reproducing PCC in animal models is inherently challenging due to its complex and heterogeneous presentation in humans, the use of complementary models with distinct phenotypes is essential for elucidating its pathophysiology. These results aim to contribute valuable insights into the biological basis of PCC and support the development of targeted preventative and therapeutic strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1646616/fullpost-COVID-19 conditionpost-acute sequelae of COVID-19golden Syrian hamster modelSARS-CoV-2 persistencelong-term neurological sequelaeanxiety-related behavioral tests |
| spellingShingle | Carla Ruiz-Casas Carla Ruiz-Casas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Ferran Tarrés-Freixas Núria Roca Núria Roca Mònica Pérez Mònica Pérez Guillermo Cantero Guillermo Cantero Laura Martín Laura Martín Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Alex Olvera Marta Ruiz-Riol Marta Ruiz-Riol Christian Brander Christian Brander Christian Brander Carla Usai Carla Usai Júlia Vergara-Alert Júlia Vergara-Alert Joaquim Segalés Joaquim Segalés Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model Frontiers in Microbiology post-COVID-19 condition post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 golden Syrian hamster model SARS-CoV-2 persistence long-term neurological sequelae anxiety-related behavioral tests |
| title | Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model |
| title_full | Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model |
| title_fullStr | Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model |
| title_short | Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model |
| title_sort | long term neurocognitive outcomes of sars cov 2 infection in a hamster model |
| topic | post-COVID-19 condition post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 golden Syrian hamster model SARS-CoV-2 persistence long-term neurological sequelae anxiety-related behavioral tests |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1646616/full |
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