We developed and validated 2 species-independent protein-based assays to detect Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus functional antibodies that can block virus receptor-binding or sialic acid-attachment. Antibody levels measured in both assays correlated strongly with virus-neutralizing antibody titers, proving their use for serologic confirmatory diagnosis of Middle East respiratory syndrome.
Keywords: MERS; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; antibodies; dromedary; hemagglutination; human; lumazine synthase; nanoparticle; neutralization; respiratory infections; serology; spike; viruses; zoonoses.