Characteristics of animal models for COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),the most consequential pandemic of this century,threatening human health and public safety.SARS-CoV-2 has been continuously evolving through mutation of its genome and variants of concern have emerged.The World Health Organization R&D Blueprint plan convened a range of expert groups to develop animal models for COVID-19,a core requirement for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.The animal model construction techniques developed during the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV pandemics were rapidly deployed and applied in the establishment of COVID-19 animal models.To date,a large number of animal models for COVID-19,including mice,hamsters,minks and nonhuman primates,have been established.Infectious diseases produce unique mani-festations according to the characteristics of the pathogen and modes of infection.Here we classified animal model resources around the infection route of SARS-CoV-2,and summarized the characteristics of the animal models constructed via transnasal,localized,and simulated transmission routes of infection.