Use of golden hamster as infectivity model of SARS

A model system for sudden acute respiratory syndrome infection (SARS) in humans, comprising a non-human animal infected with a SARS-causing coronavirus (CoV), wherein the non-human animal is a mouse deficient in interferon alpha and interferon beta receptors.

A method of preparing a host non-human animal as a model system for SARS infection in humans, wherein the method comprises administering to the animal as SARS-causing coronavirus in an amount sufficient to produce detectable antibodies to the coronavirus or to detect viral RNA coronavirus in the animal, wherein the animal is a golden hamster.

An antibody that specifically recognizes SARS-causing coronavirus, wherein the antibody has been raised in a golden hamster.

A method for producing polyclonal antibodies against a SARS-causing coronavirus, wherein the method comprises infecting a golden hamster with the coronavirus by intranasal or intraperitoneal administration, and collecting sera containing the polyclonal antibodies.

A method for screening an antiviral drug or vaccine product, wherein the method comprises administering the antiviral drug or vaccine product to a golden hamster at the same time as infecting the said animal with SARS coronavirus, collecting sera of the animal at several days post-infection to monitor viral RNA and/or antibodies against SARS coronavirus, comparing the quantified viral RNA and/or antibodies with the quantified ones of an untreated infected animal, and selecting the antiviral drug or vaccine product that induces a decrease of the quantity of viral RNA and/or a reduced neutralising antibodies titres.