Infection of bat and human intestinal organoids by SARS CoV 2
A novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) emerged in humans in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since disseminated globally 1 2 As of April 16, 2020, the confirmed case count of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) had surpassed 2 million. Based on full genome sequence analysis, SARS CoV 2 shows high homology to SARS related coronaviruses identified in horseshoe bats 1 2 Here we show the establishment and characterization of expandable intestinal organoids derived from horseshoe bats of the Rhinolophus sinicus species that can recapitulate bat intestinal epithelium. These bat enteroids are fully susceptible to SARS CoV 2 infection and sustain robust viral replication. Development of gastrointestinal symptoms in some patients with COVID 19 and detection of viral RNA in fecal specimens suggest that SARS CoV 2 might cause enteric, in addition to respiratory, infection 3 4 Here we demonstrate active replication of SARS CoV 2 in human intestinal organoids and isolation of infectious virus from the stool specimen of a patient with diarrheal COVID 19. Collectively, we established the first expandable organoid culture system of bat intestinal epithelium and present evidence that SARS CoV 2 can infect bat intestinal cells. The robust SARS CoV 2 replication in human intestinal organoids suggests that the human intestinal tract might be a transmission route of SARS CoV 2. Bat and human intestinal organoids can support replication of SARS CoV 2, enabling further characterization of the virus lifecycle and investigation of potential mechanisms of enteric infection in COVID 19.
Nature Medicine