微生物および生化学技術ジャーナル

概要

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Associated Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus In Dromedary Camels: Review

Abdallahi Abdurehman*, Jafer Kedir

The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by Coronaviruses(CoV). Dromedary camels are likely to be a natural host of MERS, and transmission between camels is clearly documented. The first evidence of dromedaries being the reservoir of MERS-CoV came from serological studies. MERS-CoV was found circulating in dromedary camels during the last 20 years and neutralizing antibodies were detected in camels.High levels of MERS-CoV antibodies have been observed in dromedaries in the Middle East and Africa.Serological follow-up of dromedary dams and their calves has shown a typical pattern of juvenile infection.Differences in virus susceptibility and pathogenicity between animals of different species could be explained by a distinct tissue distribution of dipeptidyl phosphatase 4, the MERS-CoV receptor. Detection of MERS-CoV in dromedaries is performed to understand the epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of the virus and to reduce the risk of human transmission. Sero-prevalence reports spatiotemporal distribution of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels among countries on the world where it was null in North America in 2005 and Australia in 2014. But it ranges from 29-100% in other studied countries. It was 100% in Saudi arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan. Protective experimental immunizations in dromedaries have already started using a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vaccine expressing the MERS-CoV spike protein.