Regeneration Profiles of Olfactory Epithelium after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Golden Syrian Hamsters

Olfactory dysfunction is one of the most frequent and specific symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Information on the damage and repair of the neuroepithelium and its impact on olfactory function after COVID-19 is still incomplete. While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the ongoing worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, little is known about the changes triggered by SARS-CoV-2 in the olfactory epithelium (OE) at the cellular level. Here, we report profiles of the OE after SARS-CoV-2 infection in golden Syrian hamsters, which is a reliable animal model of COVID-19. We observed severe damage in the OE as early as 3 days postinoculation and regionally specific damage and regeneration of the OE within the nasal cavity; the nasal septal region demonstrated the fastest recovery compared to other regions in the nasal turbinates. These findings suggest that anosmia related to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be fully reversible.

Automated summary

Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of COVID-19, but the damage and repair of the neuroepithelium after SARS-CoV-2 infection is still incomplete. In a study using golden Syrian hamsters, severe damage was observed in the olfactory epithelium post-inoculation, with the nasal septal region showing faster recovery. This suggests that anosmia related to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be fully reversible.