Primary exposure to SARS-CoV-2 protects against reinfection in rhesus macaques

The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection was examined using rhesus monkey models. The initial infection of SARS-CoV-2 caused interstitial pneumonia and systemic viral dissemination mainly in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Clinical signs of these infected animals recovered to normal level until 28 days post infection, and re-infection was performed at this day point. It was suggested that the primary infection protects against the re-infection at least in the point of 28 days post infection. Further study to examine the protection efficiency in the case of longer interval between initial and secondary infection should be required.