Seroprevalence and molecular detection of middle east respiratory syndrome caused by corona virus in some camels in Egypt

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate seroprevalence and molecular detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – Corona virus (MERS-CoV) in some camels in Egypt. For this purpose, a total of 177 blood samples were collected from camels at different abattoirs and localities in Egypt ( Nahya, 20,Alwarraque, 27,Belbais, 12, Kerdasa, 20, Kerdasa camel house hold, 6, Banha, 7, camel studies and developing center farm in Marsa Matrouh sahara, 5) and examined serologically by microneutralization test . The results revealed that the overall prevalence was 59.3% (105 out of 177). The respective percentages of mentioned abattoirs and localities were 30, 44.4, 83.3, 65, 40, 57.1, 61.5, 86.7, 55, 35and 79.1. Meantime a total of 177 samples (155 nasal, 20 rectal, 1 oral and 1 ocular) were taken from the same camels and were undergo to Real time polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) to detect RNA of MERS-CoV .The results showed that the overall prevalence of MERS-CoV by RT-PCR was 11.9 (21 out of 177). It was found that 21 out of 155 (13.5%) of nasal swab were positive, while all rectal, ocular and oral swabs were negative RT-PCR. It was concluded that there was a detectable level of anti MERS-CoV antibodies in sera of investigated camels in the examined area of Egypt; moreover, viral RNA of MERS-CoV was also detected with varying percentages of camel nasal samples. This indicated the risk hazards of examined camels in Egypt as a potential reservoir for MERS-CoV infection in camels and humans, so the fully precautions and sanitary measures must be taken to avoid infection.