Fig. 5. Viral loads after SARS-CoV-2 rechallenge in rhesus macaques.
On day 35 after the initial infection (Fig. 1), rhesus macaques were rechallenged by the IN and IT routes with 1.1 × 106 PFU (Group 1; N = 3), 1.1 × 105 PFU (Group 2; N = 3), or 1.1 × 104 PFU (Group 3; N = 3) of SARS-CoV-2. Three naïve animals were included as a positive control in the rechallenge experiment. (A) Log10 viral RNA copies/ml (limit 50 copies/ml) were assessed in BAL at multiple time points after rechallenge. One of the naïve animals could not be lavaged. (B) Comparison of viral RNA in BAL after primary challenge and rechallenge. (C and E) Log10 viral RNA copies/ml (C) and log10 sgmRNA copies/swab (limit 50 copies/ml) (E) were assessed in NS at multiple time points after rechallenge. (D and F) Comparison of viral RNA (D) and sgmRNA (F) in NS after primary challenge and rechallenge. Red horizontal bars reflect median viral loads. P values reflect two-sided Mann-Whitney tests.