High Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus in Young Dromedary Camels in Jordan

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2017 Feb;17(2):155-159. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2062. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Abstract

Prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was determined in 45 dromedary camels from two geographically separated herds in Jordan. Virus shedding was only detected in swabs obtained from the respiratory tract and primarily observed in camels younger than 3 years. MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age of camels. Bovine and sheep sera were seronegative. Phylogenetic analysis of partial S2 clustered the Jordanian MERS-CoV strains with contemporary MERS-CoV strains associated with nosocomial outbreaks.

Keywords: Jordan; MERS-CoV; dromedary camel; phylogeny; serology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Camelus / virology*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases / virology
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Jordan / epidemiology
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
  • Sheep Diseases / virology
  • Virus Shedding

Substances

  • RNA, Viral