Influenza Infection in Ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 Infection History

Abstract

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic drastically reduced human-to-human interactions, decreasing the circulation of other respiratory viruses, as well. Consequently, influenza virus circulation, which is normally responsible for 3 to 5 million hospitalizations per year globally, was significantly reduced. With the downscaling of the NPI countermeasures, there is a concern for increased influenza disease, particularly in individuals suffering from postacute effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. To investigate this, we performed a sequential influenza H1N1 infection 4 weeks after an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets. Upon H1N1 infection, ferrets that were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed an increased tendency to develop clinical signs, compared to the control H1N1-infected animals. A histopathological analysis indicated only a slight increase for type II pneumocyte hyperplasia and bronchitis. Thus, the effects of the sequential infection appeared minor. However, ferrets were infected with B.1.351-SARS-CoV-2, the beta variant of concern, which replicated poorly in our model. The histopathology of the respiratory organs was mostly resolved 4 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection, with only reminiscent histopathological features in the upper respiratory tract. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV-2 specific cellular and humoral responses were observed, confirming an established infection. On account of a modest trend toward the enhancement of the influenza disease, even upon a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, our findings suggest that a stronger SARS-CoV-2 infection and its consequent, long-term effects could have a greater impact on the outcome of disease after a sequential influenza infection. Hence, the influenza vaccination of individuals suffering from postacute SARS-CoV-2 infection effects may be considered an avertible measure for such a scenario. IMPORTANCE During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks, social distancing, and isolation were effective not only in decreasing the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 but also in reducing other respiratory viruses, such as influenza. With fewer restrictions currently in place, influenza is slowly returning. In the meantime, people who are still suffering from long-COVID could be more vulnerable to an influenza virus infection and could develop a more severe influenza disease. This study provides directions to the effect of a previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure on influenza disease severity in a ferret model. This model is highly valuable to test sequential infections under controlled settings for translation to humans. We could not induce clear long-term COVID-19 effects, as the SARS-CoV-2 infections in the ferrets were mild. However, we still observed a slight increase in influenza disease severity compared to ferrets that had not encountered SARS-CoV-2 before. Therefore, it may be advisable to include long-COVID patients as a risk group for influenza vaccination.