Subacute SARS-CoV-2 replication can be controlled in the absence of CD8+ T cells in cynomolgus macaques

SARS-CoV-2 infection presents clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to fatal respiratory failure. Despite the induction of functional SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 + T-cell responses in convalescent individuals, role virus-specific control replication remains unknown. In present study, we show that subacute can be controlled absence T cells cynomolgus macaques. Eight macaques were intranasally inoculated with 10 5 or 6 TCID 50 SARS-CoV-2, and three eight treated a monoclonal anti-CD8 antibody on days 7 post-infection. these macaques, undetectable day thereafter, while induced remaining five untreated animals. Viral RNA was detected nasopharyngeal swabs for 10–17 post-infection all kinetics viral levels pharyngeal plasma neutralizing titers comparable between mucosa and/or retropharyngeal lymph node obtained at necropsy 21 two group but antibody. may contribute infection, our results indicate possible containment cells, implying dysfunction not solely lead