The Omicron variant BA.1.1 presents a lower pathogenicity than B.1 D614G and Delta variants in a feline model of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Omicron (B.1.1.529) is the most recent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC), which emerged in late 2021 and rapidly achieved global predominance in early 2022. In this study, we compared the infection dynamics, tissue tropism and pathogenesis and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 D614G (B.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron BA.1.1 sublineage (B.1.1.529) variants in a highly susceptible feline model of infection. While D614G- and Delta-inoculated cats became lethargic, and showed increased body temperatures between days 1 and 3 post-infection (pi), Omicron-inoculated cats remained subclinical and, similar to control animals, gained weight throughout the 14-day experimental period. Intranasal inoculation of cats with D614G- and the Delta variants resulted in high infectious virus shedding in nasal secretions (up to 6.3 log10 TCID(50).ml(−1)), whereas strikingly lower level of viruses shedding (<3.1 log10 TCID(50).ml(−1)) was observed in Omicron-inoculated animals. In addition, tissue distribution of the Omicron variant was markedly reduced in comparison to the D614G and Delta variants, as evidenced by in situ viral RNA detection, in situ immunofluorescence, and quantification of viral loads in tissues on days 3, 5, and 14 pi. Nasal turbinate, trachea, and lung were the main - but not the only - sites of replication for all three viral variants. However, only scarce virus staining and lower viral titers suggest lower levels of viral replication in tissues from Omicron-infected animals. Notably, while D614G- and Delta-inoculated cats had severe pneumonia, histologic examination of the lungs from Omicron-infected cats revealed mild to modest inflammation. Together, these results demonstrate that the Omicron variant BA.1.1 is less pathogenic than D614G and Delta variants in a highly susceptible feline model.