Animal models for SARS and MERS coronaviruses

• Animal coronaviruses can cause severe respiratory illness and death in humans.
• Coronavirus vaccines and antiviral drugs are not yet available.
• Animal models are needed to study pathogenesis and evaluate vaccines and antivirals.
• No single animal model can be used to study both SARS and MERS coronaviruses.
• The most appropriate animal model should be selected to meet experimental goals.

The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), two strains of animal coronaviruses that crossed the species barrier to infect and cause severe respiratory infections in humans within the last 12 years, have taught us that coronaviruses represent a global threat that does not recognize international borders. We can expect to see other novel coronaviruses emerge in the future. An ideal animal model should reflect the clinical signs, viral replication and pathology seen in humans. In this review, we present factors to consider in establishing an animal model for the study of novel coronaviruses and compare the different animal models that have been employed to study SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.