Protection from Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in a Chinese Hamster Model by Equine Neutralizing F(ab′) 2

To warrant potential clinical testing, the equine anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) F(ab′)₂ requires evaluation in as many animal models as possible. In this study, we established a new animal model, the Chinese hamster, susceptible to SARS-CoV infection. SARS-CoV could propagate effectively and sustain high levels for 1 wk in animal lungs. All animals were protected from SARS-CoV infection in preventive settings. Further, when used therapeutically this antibody led to an approximately 4-log₁₀ decrease in viral burden in infected animal lungs. The pathological changes in lungs correlated closely with the dose of antibody administered. The excellent preventive and therapeutic roles of equine anti-SARS-CoV F(ab′)₂ in several animal models, including the novel Chinese hamster model described in this study, have provided exciting data concerning its potential clinical study.