(338) Nose Goes: Bowman’s Glands Recovery in Hamsters Infected with COVID-19

Introduction: Mechanisms of COVID-19-related anosmia involve damages to the olfactory epithelium or its innervations; however, little is known about SARS-CoV-2’s influence on Bowman’s glands’ (BG) mucus secretions. This study aimed to correlate mucin production with olfactory behavior in hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: 32 Syrian Golden Hamsters were infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha-strain and 4 were administered phosphate-buffered saline as control. The infected hamsters were divided into 8 groups, with each group weighed and evaluated with the Buried Food test at different time points at 2, 3, 5, 8, 17, 21, 35, and 42 days post-infection (DPI). Paraffin-embedded coronal sections of the nose were stained with Alcian Blue and Nuclear Fast Red. We observed the olfactory epithelium on the dorsal nasal conchae. BGs were randomly selected: Each BG’s area was measured via ImageJ. Olfactory function was assessed by quantifying the time finding the hidden cookie.

Results: BG area in 2 and 3 DPI compared to 5-42DPI and control groups were significantly smaller. Compared to the control, a significant increase in BG area was seen at 35 and 42 dpi. Compared to the control, hamsters tested at 2, 3, and 5 DPI required increased time to find the hidden cookie.

Conclusions: These findings suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection transiently decreases mucoproduction likely contributing to reduced olfaction. An increase in BG area at later time points post-infection suggests BG overcompensation. We speculate that olfactory behavior is enhanced through the regulation of mucoproduction.