The upper respiratory tract (URT) is the primary entry site for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, but its involvement in viral amplification and pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we investigated primary nasal epithelial cultures, as well as vital explanted tissues to scrutinize the tropism of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the recently emerged B.1.1.7 variant. Our analyses revealed a widespread replication competence of SARS-CoV-2 in polarized nasal epithelium as well as in the examined URT and salivary gland tissues, which was also shared by the B.1.1.7 virus thereby highlighting the active role of these anatomic sites in COVID-19.
- Schulze, J.
- Mache, C.
- Balázs, A.
- Frey, D.
- Niemeyer, D.
- Olze, H.
- Dommerich, S.
- Drosten, C.
- Hocke, A. C.
- Mall, M. A.
- Hippenstiel, S.
- Wolff, T.
Keywords
- Covid-19
- Influenza
- SARS-CoV-2
- Upper Respiratory Tract
- Variants of Concern
