Differential olfactory dysfunction and nasal tissue pathology in Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, frequently induces olfactory dysfunction (OD), a symptom that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Understanding the variability in OD and nasal tissue pathology across different SARS-CoV-2 variants may provide insights as to the mechanisms underlying this symptom and inform therapeutic strategies for COVID-19-related sequelae. This study examines the OD and associated nasal pathology in Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Wuhan (WA-1), Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, at 5 days post-infection. Olfactory function was assessed using buried food detection tests. Hamsters infected with the WA-1, Alpha, Beta, a

SUBMITTER: Saito T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502630 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature