scholarly journals Potential Intermediate Hosts for Coronavirus Transmission: No Evidence of Clade 2c Coronaviruses in Domestic Livestock from Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip El-Duah ◽  
Augustina Sylverken ◽  
Michael Owusu ◽  
Richmond Yeboah ◽  
Jones Lamptey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Dromedary Camels ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Bat Coronavirus

The emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), nearly a decade ago with worldwide distribution, was believed to be of zoonotic origin from bats with dromedary camels as intermediate hosts. There is a likelihood of other domestic livestock serving as intermediate hosts for this virus. The presence of coronaviruses, closely related to MERS-CoV in Ghanaian bats, presented the opportunity to test the hypothesis of transmissibility of this virus through domestic livestock species. The possible interactions between livestock and bats in 31 household farms were accessed by observation and interviews with farmers. Rectal swabs and serum from cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and swine from commercial and household farms were tested for MERS-CoV and a Nycteris sp. bat coronavirus, previously detected in Ghana. A pan-PCR assay to detect clade 2c viruses and recombinant immunofluorescence assay to detect anti-spike IgG antibodies against the target viruses were used. Likely contact between livestock and bats was determined for 13 farms (41.9%) that reported confining their livestock and also observing bats in their homes. Livestock were left unconfined on eight farms (25.8%) that also observed bats roosting in trees close to their homes. No viral RNA or antibodies against the two coronaviruses were detected in any of the livestock species tested. Cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and swine are not likely hosts of clade 2c coronaviruses.

scholarly journals Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serology in major livestock species in an affected region in Jordan, June to September 2013

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (50) ◽  
Author(s):  
C B Reusken ◽  
M Ababneh ◽  
V S Raj ◽  
B Meyer ◽  
A Eljarah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Protein Microarray ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Dromedary Camels ◽  
Neutralising Antibodies ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Livestock Species

Between June and September 2013, sera from 11 dromedary camels, 150 goats, 126 sheep and 91 cows were collected in Jordan, where the first human Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cluster appeared in 2012. All sera were tested for MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) specific antibodies by protein microarray with confirmation by virus neutralisation. Neutralising antibodies were found in all camel sera while sera from goats and cattle tested negative. Although six sheep sera reacted with MERS-CoV antigen, neutralising antibodies were not detected.

scholarly journals Development of a Whole-Virus ELISA for Serological Evaluation of Domestic Livestock as Possible Hosts of Human Coronavirus NL63

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip El-Duah ◽  
Benjamin Meyer ◽  
Augustina Sylverken ◽  
Michael Owusu ◽  
Lina Theresa Gottula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Human Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Human Coronaviruses ◽  
Testing Algorithm

Known human coronaviruses are believed to have originated in animals and made use of intermediate hosts for transmission to humans. The intermediate hosts of most of the human coronaviruses are known, but not for HCoV-NL63. This study aims to assess the possible role of some major domestic livestock species as intermediate hosts of HCoV-NL63. We developed a testing algorithm for high throughput screening of livestock sera with ELISA and confirmation with recombinant immunofluorescence assay testing for antibodies against HCoV-NL63 in livestock. Optimization of the ELISA showed a capability of the assay to significantly distinguish HCoV-NL63 from HCoV-229E (U = 27.50, p < 0.001) and HCoV-OC43 (U = 55.50, p < 0.001) in coronavirus-characterized sera. Evaluation of the assay with collected human samples showed no significant difference in mean optical density values of immunofluorescence-classified HCoV-NL63-positive and HCoV-NL63-negative samples (F (1, 215) = 0.437, p = 0.509). All the top 5% (n = 8) most reactive human samples tested by ELISA were HCoV-NL63 positive by immunofluorescence testing. In comparison, only a proportion (84%, n = 42) of the top 25% were positive by immunofluorescence testing, indicating an increased probability of the highly ELISA reactive samples testing positive by the immunofluorescence assay. None of the top 5% most ELISA reactive livestock samples were positive for HCoV-NL63-related viruses by immunofluorescence confirmation. Ghanaian domestic livestock are not likely intermediate hosts of HCoV-NL63-related coronaviruses.

scholarly journals Two Mutations Were Critical for Bat-to-Human Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (17) ◽  
pp. 9119-9123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Lanying Du ◽  
Shibo Jiang ◽  
Zhengli Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Virus Surface ◽  
Bat Coronavirus ◽  
Do So

To understand how Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) transmitted from bats to humans, we compared the virus surface spikes of MERS-CoV and a related bat coronavirus, HKU4. Although HKU4 spike cannot mediate viral entry into human cells, two mutations enabled it to do so by allowing it to be activated by human proteases. These mutations are present in MERS-CoV spike, explaining why MERS-CoV infects human cells. These mutations therefore played critical roles in the bat-to-human transmission of MERS-CoV, either directly or through intermediate hosts.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in camelids

2022 ◽  
pp. 030098582110691
Author(s):  
Nigeer Te ◽  
Malgorzata Ciurkiewicz ◽  
Judith M. A. van den Brand ◽  
Jordi Rodon ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Haverkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Health ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Dromedary Camels

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is the cause of a severe respiratory disease with a high case fatality rate in humans. Since its emergence in mid-2012, 2578 laboratory-confirmed cases in 27 countries have been reported by the World Health Organization, leading to 888 known deaths due to the disease and related complications. Dromedary camels are considered the major reservoir host for this virus leading to zoonotic infection in humans. Dromedary camels, llamas, and alpacas are susceptible to MERS-CoV, developing a mild-to-moderate upper respiratory tract infection characterized by epithelial hyperplasia as well as infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and some macrophages within epithelium, lamina propria, in association with abundant viral antigen. The very mild lesions in the lower respiratory tract of these camelids correlate with absence of overt illness following MERS-CoV infection. Unfortunately, there is no approved antiviral treatment or vaccine for MERS-CoV infection in humans. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop intervention strategies in camelids, such as vaccination, to minimize virus spillover to humans. Therefore, the development of camelid models of MERS-CoV infection is key not only to assess vaccine prototypes but also to understand the biologic mechanisms by which the infection can be naturally controlled in these reservoir species. This review summarizes information on virus-induced pathological changes, pathogenesis, viral epidemiology, and control strategies in camelids, as the intermediate hosts and primary source of MERS-CoV infection in humans.

scholarly journals Limited Genetic Diversity Detected in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus Variants Circulating in Dromedary Camels in Jordan

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Stephanie N. Seifert ◽  
Jonathan E. Schulz ◽  
Stacy Ricklefs ◽  
Michael Letko ◽  
Elangeni Yabba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Middle East ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Full Genome Sequence ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Dromedary Camels

Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a persistent zoonotic pathogen with frequent spillover from dromedary camels to humans in the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in limited outbreaks of MERS with a high case-fatality rate. Full genome sequence data from camel-derived MERS-CoV variants show diverse lineages circulating in domestic camels with frequent recombination. More than 90% of the available full MERS-CoV genome sequences derived from camels are from just two countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, we employ a novel method to amplify and sequence the partial MERS-CoV genome with high sensitivity from nasal swabs of infected camels. We recovered more than 99% of the MERS-CoV genome from field-collected samples with greater than 500 TCID50 equivalent per nasal swab from camel herds sampled in Jordan in May 2016. Our subsequent analyses of 14 camel-derived MERS-CoV genomes show a striking lack of genetic diversity circulating in Jordan camels relative to MERS-CoV genome sequences derived from large camel markets in KSA and UAE. The low genetic diversity detected in Jordan camels during our study is consistent with a lack of endemic circulation in these camel herds and reflective of data from MERS outbreaks in humans dominated by nosocomial transmission following a single introduction as reported during the 2015 MERS outbreak in South Korea. Our data suggest transmission of MERS-CoV among two camel herds in Jordan in 2016 following a single introduction event.

scholarly journals Neospora caninuminfection in birds: experimental infections in chicken and embryonated eggs

Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (14) ◽  
pp. 1931-1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. I. FURUTA ◽  
T. W. P. MINEO ◽  
A. O. T. CARRASCO ◽  
G. S. GODOY ◽  
A. A. PINTO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Experimental Infections ◽  
Inoculum Dose ◽  
Specific Igg

SUMMARYNeospora caninumcauses economical impact in cattle-raising farms since it is implicated as the major cause of bovine abortions. Although infection by the parasite has been widely described in mammals, the role of birds in its life-cycle is still obscure. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the infection byN. caninumin different chicken models. Experimental infections were conducted in 7-day-old chicks, laying hens and embryonated eggs, where samples were analysed for parasite burden, IgG antibodies and lesions promoted. Chickens demonstrated an asymptomatic infection, although with seroconversion and systemic replication of the parasite. In laying hens, no signs of vertical transmission were observed. However, embryonated eggs inoculated by the allantoic cavity route demonstrated susceptibility to infection, with mortality rates around 50% independent of the inoculum dose. Additionally, dogs became infected after ingestion of different amounts of inoculated eggs, producing either oocysts or specific IgG antibodies. The results herein presented demonstrate that chickens may be intermediate hosts ofN. caninumand that embryonated eggs could be a useful model to study the parasite's biology.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxocara Infection in Association with Different Risk Factors among Children of 4-12 Years Old Referred to Some Medical Centers in Aras Free Zone, Northwest Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham YOUSEFI ◽  
Mohammad Bagher ROKNI ◽  
Khosrow HAZRATI TAPPEH ◽  
Mehdi MOHEBALI ◽  
Shahram KHADEMVATAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Seropositivity Rate ◽  
Free Zone ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
Northwest Of Iran ◽  
And Gender

Background: Toxocariosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Toxocara species from dog and cat. It has a worldwide distribution with higher prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of Toxocara infection and its association with some risk factors among children of Aras Free Zone (Jolfa City) in Northwest of Iran. Methods: Sera were collected from 514 children aged 4–12 yr old attending to some medical centers in the study area from May 2018 to Feb 2019. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies assay was performed using commercial ELISA kit (Nova Tec, Germany). The seropositivity rate was determined and its association with different demographic criteria and risk factors were statistically analyzed. Results: The overall seroprevalence was 2.3% (12/514). Risk factors of children’s age group and contact with either pet animals (dog and cat) and/or soil were significantly associated with seropositivity. However, there was not any relationship between Toxocara infection and gender of children, place of residency (urban or rural) and their mothers’ education level. Conclusion: Both girls and boys are at risk of Toxocara infection in the study area. Younger age of childhood and contact with sources of infection were important associated factors. More probably, additional criteria are involved in the initiation of infection.

scholarly journals Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and bat coronavirus HKU9 both can utilize GRP78 for attachment onto host cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (30) ◽  
pp. 11709-11726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hin Chu ◽  
Che-Man Chan ◽  
Xi Zhang ◽  
Yixin Wang ◽  
Shuofeng Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Bat Coronavirus
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