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Barabona G, Ngare I, Kamori D, Nkinda L, Kosugi Y, Mawazo A, Ekwabi R, Kinasa G, Chuwa H, Sato K, Sunguya B, Ueno T. Neutralizing immunity against coronaviruses in Tanzanian health care workers. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5508. [PMID: 38448564 PMCID: PMC10917759 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55989-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ongoing vaccination efforts and exposure to endemic and emerging coronaviruses can shape the population's immunity against this group of viruses. In this study, we investigated neutralizing immunity against endemic and emerging coronaviruses in 200 Tanzanian frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Despite low vaccination rates (19.5%), we found a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (94.0%), indicating high exposure in these HCWs. Next, we determined the neutralization capacity of antisera against human coronavirus NL63, and 229E, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (including Omicron subvariants: BA.1, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5) using pseudovirus neutralization assay. We observed a broad range of neutralizing activity in HCWs, but no neutralization activity detected against MERS-CoV. We also observed a strong correlation between neutralizing antibody titers for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, but not between other coronaviruses. Cross-neutralization titers against the newer Omicron subvariants, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5, was significantly reduced compared to BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants. On the other hand, the exposed vaccinated HCWs showed relatively higher median cross-neutralization titers against both the newer Omicron subvariants and SARS-CoV-1, but did not reach statistical significance. In summary, our findings suggest a broad range of neutralizing potency against coronaviruses in Tanzanian HCWs with detectable neutralizing immunity against SARS-CoV-1 resulting from SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Barabona
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Isaac Ngare
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Doreen Kamori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Collaboration Unit for Infection, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lilian Nkinda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Yusuke Kosugi
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ambele Mawazo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rayi Ekwabi
- Amana Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Kei Sato
- Collaboration Unit for Infection, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Vaccine Design Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Bruno Sunguya
- Collaboration Unit for Infection, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Takamasa Ueno
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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Panyako PM, Ommeh SC, Kuria SN, Lichoti JK, Musina J, Nair V, Nene V, Oyola SO, Munir M. Metagenomic characterization reveals virus coinfections associated with Newcastle disease virus among poultry in Kenya. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:1383-1396. [PMID: 37821414 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Newcastle disease (ND) is an endemic viral disease affecting poultry and causing massive economic losses. This cross-sectional purposive study detected coinfections that are associated with the Newcastle disease virus among poultry from selected regions in Kenya. Cloacal (n = 599) and oral-pharyngeal (n = 435) swab samples were collected and pooled into 17 and 15 samples, respectively. A total of 17,034,948 and 7,751,974 paired-end reads with an average of 200 nucleotides were generated from the cloacal and oral-pharyngeal swab samples, respectively. Analysis of the de novo assembled contigs identified 177 and 18 cloacal and oral-pharyngeal contigs, respectively with hits to viral sequences, as determined by BLASTx and BLASTn analyses. Several known and unknown representatives of Coronaviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Reoviridae, Retroviridae, and unclassified Deltavirus were identified in the cloacal swab samples. However, no Newcastle disease virus (family Paramyxoviridae) was detected in the cloacal swabs, although they were detected in the oropharyngeal swabs of chickens sampled in Nairobi, Busia, and Trans Nzoia. Additionally, sequences representative of Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Retroviridae were identified in the oral-pharyngeal swab samples. Infectious bronchitis virus and rotavirus were chickens' most prevalent coinfections associated with the Newcastle disease virus. The detection of these coinfections suggests that these viruses are significant threats to the control of Newcastle disease as the Newcastle disease virus vaccines are known to fail because of these coinfections. Therefore, this study provides important information that will help improve disease diagnosis and vaccine development for coinfections associated with the Newcastle disease virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Panyako
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sheila C Ommeh
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephen N Kuria
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacqueline K Lichoti
- State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johns Musina
- Department of Zoology, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Venugopal Nair
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vish Nene
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel O Oyola
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Muhammad Munir
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Khalafalla AI. Zoonotic diseases transmitted from the camels. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1244833. [PMID: 37929289 PMCID: PMC10620500 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1244833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Zoonotic diseases, infections transmitted naturally from animals to humans, pose a significant public health challenge worldwide. After MERS-CoV was discovered, interest in camels was raised as potential intermediate hosts for zoonotic viruses. Most published review studies pay little attention to case reports or zoonotic epidemics where there is epidemiological proof of transmission from camels to humans. Accordingly, any pathogen found in camels known to cause zoonotic disease in other animals or humans is reported. Methods Here, zoonotic diseases linked to camels are reviewed in the literature, focusing on those with epidemiological or molecular evidence of spreading from camels to humans. This review examines the risks posed by camel diseases to human health, emphasizing the need for knowledge and awareness in mitigating these risks. Results A search of the literature revealed that eight (36.4%) of the 22 investigations that offered convincing evidence of camel-to-human transmission involved MERS, five (22.7%) Brucellosis, four (18.2%) plague caused by Yersinia pestis, three (13.6%) camelpox, one (4.5%) hepatitis E, and one (4.5%) anthrax. The reporting of these zoonotic diseases has been steadily increasing, with the most recent period, from 2010 to the present, accounting for 59% of the reports. Additionally, camels have been associated with several other zoonotic diseases, including toxoplasmosis, Rift Valley fever, TB, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Q fever, despite having no evidence of a transmission event. Transmission of human zoonotic diseases primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct or indirect contact with camels. The above-mentioned diseases were discussed to determine risks to human health. Conclusion MERS, Brucellosis, plague caused by Y. pestis, camelpox, hepatitis E, and anthrax are the main zoonotic diseases associated with human disease events or outbreaks. Transmission to humans primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct contact with camels. There is a need for comprehensive surveillance, preventive measures, and public health interventions based on a one-health approach to mitigate the risks of zoonotic infections linked to camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmalik Ibrahim Khalafalla
- Development and Innovation Sector, Biosecurity Affairs Division, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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AL-Taee HSR, Sekhi AA, Gharban HAJ, Biati HMA. Serological identification of MERS-CoV in camels of Wasit province, Iraq. Open Vet J 2023; 13:1283-1289. [PMID: 38027406 PMCID: PMC10658013 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2023.v13.i10.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Since the first human case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) caused by Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, several evidence bases have shown one-humped camels as the main reservoir host, from which infection is transmitted to humans. Aim Serological investigation of MERS in dromedary camels in Wasit province (Iraq), detection severity of infection, and association to some risk factors. Methods A total of 455 dromedary camels were selected randomly from two main districts in Wasit province, Iraq, during January and April (2023). Sera of all study camels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and titers of positive study animals were categorized according to their severity. Results Serological testing yielded 37.58% positive animals for MERS infection. According to the severity of positive ODs (titer), a total of 53.22%, 30.99%, 12.28%, and 3.51% showed mild, moderate, strong, and very strong infections, respectively. Regarding risk factors, significant elevation in seropositivity was seen in camels of >3-6 and >6 years old and reduced in camels of £3 years old with an elevated risk of MERS with increased age. Regionally, seropositivity and relative risk were increased in the camels of Shaykh Sa'd when compared with Al-Numaniyah. Regarding sex, no significant variation was detected between seropositive females and males; however, male camels appeared at higher risk than females. Association between the severity of MERS infection and risk factors revealed that there was a significant increase in mild and moderate infections in female camels of >6 years old; whereas strong and very strong infections were seen in male camels of 33-6 years old. Mild and very strong infections were recorded in Shaykh Sa'd; while moderate and strong infections in Al-Numaniyah. Conclusion The study indicated a longstanding existence of MERS-CoV in camels of Wasit province; therefore, recent infections or active viral excretion are required for confirmation by molecular approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala S. R. AL-Taee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
| | - Azhar Ali Sekhi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
| | - Hasanain A. J. Gharban
- Department of Internal and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
| | - Hussien M. A. Biati
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
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Meta-analysis of seroprevalence and zoonotic infections of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV): A one-health perspective. One Health 2022; 15:100436. [PMID: 36168446 PMCID: PMC9502441 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by an emerging beta-coronavirus (CoV). The majority of MERS studies have included scattered data from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and these data have not been analyzed collectively. In this work, a meta-analysis of these studies was conducted to coalesce these results, determine the prevalence and seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in camels and humans, and examine how zoonotic infection rates in dromedary camels are related to human infection rates. After extracting the collected data, the prevalence and seroprevalence at a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a fixed-effects inverse-variance meta-analysis was conducted. Thirteen studies were included. Eight studies included 2905 samples from dromedary camels, of which 1108 (38.14%) were positive for the virus. The prevalence was 8.75[−13.47, 30.98] at 95% CI in dromedary camels and 0.03[−35.23, 35.28] at 95% CI in humans. Ten studies included 7176 serum samples, 5788 (80.66%) of which were positive. The seroprevalence was 20.69[−4.60, 45.99] at 95% CI. The prevalence of MERS-CoV was moderate to high, but the seroprevalence was high. Despite the high prevalence of the virus in camel herds, zoonotic transmissions were not widespread. Further longitudinal and cross-sectional follow-up studies are recommended to provide solid control of MERS-CoV transmission.
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Lin CY, Su SB, Chen KT. An overview of gastrointestinal diseases in patients with COVID-19: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30297. [PMID: 36086768 PMCID: PMC10980500 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged as a global health concern. This study aimed to review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of COVID-19 and provide evidence for the implementation of control measures. We utilized several online databases, including MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to collect relevant published papers using a combination of the following keywords: "COVID-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "novel coronavirus," "epidemiology," and "pathophysiology." The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used in this study. Globally, approximately 3-46% of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection experience gastrointestinal symptoms. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is wide, ranging from mild to severe, and even fatal. COVID-19 was initially reported as a respiratory tract disease; however, gastrointestinal symptoms have only recently been reported. COVID-19 Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms may have more severe clinical manifestations and poor prognosis. This study highlights the need to better understand the mechanisms involved in the development of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 to prevent the further spread of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yao Lin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Taiwan
- Department of Senior Welfare and Services, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Bin Su
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kow-Tong Chen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Ngere I, Hunsperger EA, Tong S, Oyugi J, Jaoko W, Harcourt JL, Thornburg NJ, Oyas H, Muturi M, Osoro EM, Gachohi J, Ombok C, Dawa J, Tao Y, Zhang J, Mwasi L, Ochieng C, Mwatondo A, Bodha B, Langat D, Herman-Roloff A, Njenga MK, Widdowson MA, Munyua PM. Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Camels and Probable Spillover Infection to Humans in Kenya. Viruses 2022; 14:1743. [PMID: 36016365 PMCID: PMC9413448 DOI: 10.3390/v14081743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of Kenya’s > 3 million camels have antibodies against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), although human infection in Africa is rare. We enrolled 243 camels aged 0−24 months from 33 homesteads in Northern Kenya and followed them between April 2018 to March 2020. We collected and tested camel nasal swabs for MERS-CoV RNA by RT-PCR followed by virus isolation and whole genome sequencing of positive samples. We also documented illnesses (respiratory or other) among the camels. Human camel handlers were also swabbed, screened for respiratory signs, and samples were tested for MERS-CoV by RT-PCR. We recorded 68 illnesses among 58 camels, of which 76.5% (52/68) were respiratory signs and the majority of illnesses (73.5% or 50/68) were recorded in 2019. Overall, 124/4692 (2.6%) camel swabs collected from 83 (34.2%) calves in 15 (45.5%) homesteads between April−September 2019 screened positive, while 22 calves (26.5%) recorded reinfections (second positive swab following ≥ 2 consecutive negative tests). Sequencing revealed a distinct Clade C2 virus that lacked the signature ORF4b deletions of other Clade C viruses. Three previously reported human PCR positive cases clustered with the camel infections in time and place, strongly suggesting sporadic transmission to humans during intense camel outbreaks in Northern Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Ngere
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676 00100, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth A. Hunsperger
- Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya, Nairobi P.O. Box 40241 00621, Kenya
| | - Suxiang Tong
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Julius Oyugi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676 00100, Kenya
| | - Walter Jaoko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676 00100, Kenya
| | - Jennifer L. Harcourt
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Natalie J. Thornburg
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Harry Oyas
- Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Nairobi P.O. Box 30028 00100, Kenya
| | - Mathew Muturi
- Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Nairobi P.O. Box 30028 00100, Kenya
- Dahlem Research School, Freie Universität Berlin, Kaiserswerther Str. 16-18, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric M. Osoro
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - John Gachohi
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000 00200, Kenya
| | - Cynthia Ombok
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jeanette Dawa
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Ying Tao
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Lydia Mwasi
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840 00200, Kenya
| | - Caroline Ochieng
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840 00200, Kenya
| | - Athman Mwatondo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676 00100, Kenya
- Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 30016 00100, Kenya
| | - Boku Bodha
- Department of Veterinary and Livestock, County Government of Marsabit, Marsabit 60500, Kenya
| | - Daniel Langat
- Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 30016 00100, Kenya
| | - Amy Herman-Roloff
- Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya, Nairobi P.O. Box 40241 00621, Kenya
| | - M. Kariuki Njenga
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Washington State University, Nairobi P.O. Box 72938 00200, Kenya
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Marc-Alain Widdowson
- Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya, Nairobi P.O. Box 40241 00621, Kenya
| | - Peninah M. Munyua
- Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya, Nairobi P.O. Box 40241 00621, Kenya
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Faustino R, Faria M, Teixeira M, Palavra F, Sargento P, do Céu Costa M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of coronavirus: One health approach for a global strategy. One Health 2022; 14:100383. [PMID: 35399617 PMCID: PMC8979611 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses have been responsible for major epidemic crises in 2003 with SARS-CoV-1, in 2012 with MERS-CoV and in 2019 with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), causing serious atypical pneumonia in humans. We intend, with this systematic analysis and meta-analysis, to clarify the prevalence of the various strains of coronavirus in different animal species. For this purpose, we carried out an electronic survey using Pubmed's Veterinary Science search tool to conduct a systematic assessment of published studies reporting the prevalence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species between 2015 and 2020. We conducted different analysis to assess sensitivity, publication bias, and heterogeneity, using random effect. The final meta-analysis included 42 studies for systematic review and 29 in the meta-analysis. For the geographic regions with a prevalence greater than or equal to 0.20 (Forest plot overall; prevalence = 0.20, p < 0.01, Q = 10,476.22 and I2 = 100%), the most commonly detected viruses were: enteric coronavirus (ECoV), pigeon-dominant coronavirus, (PdCoV), Avian coronavirus M41, Avian coronavirus C46, Avian coronavirus A99, Avian coronavirus JMK, MERS-CoV, Bovine coronavirus, Ro-BatCoV GCCDC1, Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Deltacoronavirus, Gamacoronavirus and human coronaviruses (HCoVs). The wide presence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species on all continents demonstrates the great biodiversity and ubiquity of these viruses. The most recent epidemiological crises caused by coronavirus demonstrates our unpreparedness to anticipate and mitigate emerging risks, as well as the need to implement new epidemiological surveillance programs for viruses. Combined with the need to create advanced training courses in One Health, this is paramount in order to ensure greater effectiveness in fighting the next pandemics.
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Orynbayev MB, Hitch AT, Kerimbayev AA, Nissanova RK, Sultankulova KT, Rystayeva RA, Omarova ZD, Kassenov MM, Tailakova ET, Smith GJD, Mendenhall IH. Serological exposure in Bactrian and dromedary camels in Kazakhstan to a MERS or MERS-like coronavirus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1374-e1381. [PMID: 35106948 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a camel-borne zoonotic virus endemic across Eastern Africa and the Middle East, with evidence of circulation in Bangladesh and Mongolia. To determine if MERS-CoV was present in Kazakhstan, in 2017-2018 we collected swabs and sera from Bactrian camels (n = 3124) and dromedary (n = 5083). The total seropositivity was 0.54% in Bactrian camels and 0.24% in dromedaries, however we did not detect MERS-CoV RNA in swab samples. There was no difference in the probability of infection between species or sex, but younger camels had a higher probability of being seropositive, suggesting a recent introduction of the virus to Kazakhstan. The infection of both camel species indicates that they both may play a role as natural reservoirs. These results reinforce the need for continual surveillance, especially at the camel-human interface to understand the risk of zoonotic exposure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukhit B Orynbayev
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Alan T Hitch
- Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Aslan A Kerimbayev
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Raikhan K Nissanova
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Kulyaisan T Sultankulova
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Rashida A Rystayeva
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Zamira D Omarova
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Markhabat M Kassenov
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Elmira T Tailakova
- Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, 080409, Gvardeiskiy, Kordaiskiy Rayon, Zhambylskaya oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Gavin J D Smith
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ian H Mendenhall
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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10
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Hui DS, Azhar EI, Memish ZA, Zumla A. Human Coronavirus Infections—Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and SARS-CoV-2. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022. [PMCID: PMC7241405 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11634-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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11
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Borrega R, Nelson DKS, Koval AP, Bond NG, Heinrich ML, Rowland MM, Lathigra R, Bush DJ, Aimukanova I, Phinney WN, Koval SA, Hoffmann AR, Smither AR, Bell-Kareem AR, Melnik LI, Genemaras KJ, Chao K, Snarski P, Melton AB, Harrell JE, Smira AA, Elliott DH, Rouelle JA, Sabino-Santos G, Drouin AC, Momoh M, Sandi JD, Goba A, Samuels RJ, Kanneh L, Gbakie M, Branco ZL, Shaffer JG, Schieffelin JS, Robinson JE, Fusco DN, Sabeti PC, Andersen KG, Grant DS, Boisen ML, Branco LM, Garry RF. Cross-Reactive Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Pre-COVID-19 Blood Samples from Sierra Leoneans. Viruses 2021; 13:2325. [PMID: 34835131 PMCID: PMC8625389 DOI: 10.3390/v13112325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Borrega
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Diana K. S. Nelson
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
| | - Anatoliy P. Koval
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Nell G. Bond
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Megan L. Heinrich
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Megan M. Rowland
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Raju Lathigra
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Duane J. Bush
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
| | - Irina Aimukanova
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
| | - Whitney N. Phinney
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
| | - Sophia A. Koval
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Andrew R. Hoffmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Allison R. Smither
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Antoinette R. Bell-Kareem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Lilia I. Melnik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Kaylynn J. Genemaras
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
- Bioinnovation Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Karissa Chao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
- Bioinnovation Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Patricia Snarski
- Heart and Vascular Institute, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Alexandra B. Melton
- Department of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA;
| | - Jaikin E. Harrell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
| | - Ashley A. Smira
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.A.S.); (D.H.E.); (J.A.R.); (J.S.S.); (J.E.R.)
| | - Debra H. Elliott
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.A.S.); (D.H.E.); (J.A.R.); (J.S.S.); (J.E.R.)
| | - Julie A. Rouelle
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.A.S.); (D.H.E.); (J.A.R.); (J.S.S.); (J.E.R.)
| | - Gilberto Sabino-Santos
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
- Centre for Virology Research, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Arnaud C. Drouin
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.C.D.); (D.N.F.)
| | - Mambu Momoh
- Eastern Polytechnic Institute, Kenema, Sierra Leone;
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - John Demby Sandi
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Augustine Goba
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Robert J. Samuels
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Lansana Kanneh
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Michael Gbakie
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Zoe L. Branco
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Jeffrey G. Shaffer
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - John S. Schieffelin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.A.S.); (D.H.E.); (J.A.R.); (J.S.S.); (J.E.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - James E. Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.A.S.); (D.H.E.); (J.A.R.); (J.S.S.); (J.E.R.)
| | - Dahlene N. Fusco
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.C.D.); (D.N.F.)
| | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kristian G. Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Donald S. Grant
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema, Sierra Leone; (J.D.S.); (A.G.); (R.J.S.); (L.K.); (M.G.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matthew L. Boisen
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
| | - Luis M. Branco
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
| | - Robert F. Garry
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Germantown, MD 20876, USA; (R.B.); (A.P.K.); (M.L.H.); (M.M.R.); (R.L.); (S.A.K.); (Z.L.B.)
- Zalgen Labs, LCC, Broomfield, CO 80045, USA; (D.K.S.N.); (D.J.B.); (I.A.); (W.N.P.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (N.G.B.); (A.R.H.); (A.R.S.); (A.R.B.-K.); (L.I.M.); (K.J.G.); (K.C.); (J.E.H.)
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12
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Zhou Z, Qiu Y, Ge X. The taxonomy, host range and pathogenicity of coronaviruses and other viruses in the Nidovirales order. ANIMAL DISEASES 2021; 1:5. [PMID: 34778878 PMCID: PMC8062217 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-021-00005-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequent emergence of coronavirus (CoV) epidemics has seriously threatened public health and stock farming. The major hosts for CoVs are birds and mammals. Although most CoVs inhabit their specific natural hosts, some may occasionally cross the host barrier to infect livestock and even people, causing a variety of diseases. Since the beginning of the new century, increasing attention has been given to research on CoVs due to the emergence of highly pathogenic and genetically diverse CoVs that have caused several epidemics, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. CoVs belong to the Coronaviridae family of the Nidovirales order. Recently, advanced techniques for viral detection and viral genome analyses have enabled characterization of many new nidoviruses than ever and have greatly expanded the Nidovirales order with new classification and nomenclature. Here, we first provide an overview of the latest research progress in the classification of the Nidovirales order and then introduce the host range, genetic variation, genomic pattern and pathogenic features of epidemic CoVs and other epidemic viruses. This information will promote understanding of the phylogenetic relationship and infectious transmission of various pathogenic nidoviruses, including epidemic CoVs, which will benefit virological research and viral disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, Hunan University, 27 Tianma Rd., Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Ye Qiu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, Hunan University, 27 Tianma Rd., Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Xingyi Ge
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, Hunan University, 27 Tianma Rd., Changsha, Hunan China
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13
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Zhang Y, Hu B, Agwanda B, Fang Y, Wang J, Kuria S, Yang J, Masika M, Tang S, Lichoti J, Fan Z, Shi Z, Ommeh S, Wang H, Deng F, Shen S. Viromes and surveys of RNA viruses in camel-derived ticks revealing transmission patterns of novel tick-borne viral pathogens in Kenya. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1975-1987. [PMID: 34570681 PMCID: PMC8525980 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1986428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne viruses (TBVs) capable of transmitting between ticks and hosts have been increasingly recognized as a global public health concern. In this study, Hyalomma ticks and serum samples from camels were collected using recorded sampling correlations in eastern Kenya. Viromes of pooled ticks were profiled by metagenomic sequencing, revealing a diverse community of viruses related to at least 11 families. Five highly abundant viruses, including three novel viruses (Iftin tick virus, Mbalambala tick virus [MATV], and Bangali torovirus [BanToV]) and new strains of previously identified viruses (Bole tick virus 4 [BLTV4] and Liman tick virus [LMTV]), were characterized in terms of genome sequences, organizations, and phylogeny, and their molecular prevalence was investigated in individual ticks. Moreover, viremia and antibody responses to these viruses have been investigated in camels. MATV, BLTV4, LMTV, and BanToV were identified as viral pathogens that can potentially cause zoonotic diseases. The transmission patterns of these viruses were summarized, suggesting three different types according to the sampling relationships between viral RNA-positive ticks and camels positive for viral RNA and/or antibodies. They also revealed the frequent transmission of BanToV and limited but effective transmission of other viruses between ticks and camels. Furthermore, follow-up surveys on TBVs from tick, animal, and human samples with definite sampling relationships are suggested. The findings revealed substantial threats from the emerging TBVs and may guide the prevention and control of TBV-related zoonotic diseases in Kenya and in other African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bernard Agwanda
- Department of Zoology, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yaohui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Stephen Kuria
- Institute For Biotechnology Research (IBR), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Juan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Moses Masika
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shuang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jacqueline Lichoti
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zhaojun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengli Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheila Ommeh
- Institute For Biotechnology Research (IBR), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hualin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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14
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Mu Y, Shao M, Zhong B, Zhao Y, Leung KMY, Giesy JP, Ma J, Wu F, Zeng F. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus and ambient temperature: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:37051-37059. [PMID: 34053039 PMCID: PMC8164483 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14625-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented public health, and social and economic challenges. It remains unclear whether seasonal changes in ambient temperature will alter spreading trajectory of the COVID-19 epidemic. The probable mechanism on this is still lacking. This review summarizes the most recent research data on the effect of ambient temperature on the COVID-19 epidemic characteristic. The available data suggest that (i) mesophilic traits of viruses are different due to their molecular composition; (ii) increasing ambient temperature decreases the persistence of some viruses in aquatic media; (iii) a 1°C increase in the average monthly minimum ambient temperatures (AMMAT) was related to a 0.72% fewer mammalian individuals that would be infected by coronavirus; (iv) proportion of zoonotic viruses of mammals including humans is probably related to their body temperature difference; (v) seasonal divergence between the northern and southern hemispheres may be a significant driver in determining a waved trajectory in the next 2 years. Further research is needed to understand its effects and mechanisms of global temperature change so that effective strategies can be adopted to curb its natural effects. This paper mainly explores possible scientific hypothesis and evidences that local communities and authorities should consider to find optimal solutions that can limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsong Mu
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100872, China.
| | - Meichen Shao
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Buqing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Yiqun Zhao
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Kenneth M Y Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Jin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Fangang Zeng
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100872, China.
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15
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Limited Genetic Diversity Detected in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus Variants Circulating in Dromedary Camels in Jordan. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040592. [PMID: 33807288 PMCID: PMC8067259 DOI: 10.3390/v13040592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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16
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Muturi M, Akoko J, Nthiwa D, Chege B, Nyamota R, Mutiiria M, Maina J, Thumbi SM, Nyamai M, Kahariri S, Sitawa R, Kimutai J, Kuria W, Mwatondo A, Bett B. Serological evidence of single and mixed infections of Rift Valley fever virus, Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii in dromedary camels in Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009275. [PMID: 33770095 PMCID: PMC7997034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Camels are increasingly becoming the livestock of choice for pastoralists reeling from effects of climate change in semi-arid and arid parts of Kenya. As the population of camels rises, better understanding of their role in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases in Kenya is a public health priority. Rift Valley fever (RVF), brucellosis and Q fever are three of the top priority diseases in the country but the involvement of camels in the transmission dynamics of these diseases is poorly understood. We analyzed 120 camel serum samples from northern Kenya to establish seropositivity rates of the three pathogens and to characterize the infecting Brucella species using molecular assays. We found seropositivity of 24.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.5–31.8%) for Brucella, 20.8% (95% CI: 13.6–28.1%) and 14.2% (95% CI: 7.9–20.4%) for Coxiella burnetii and Rift valley fever virus respectively. We found 27.5% (95% CI: 19.5–35.5%) of the animals were seropositive for at least one pathogen and 13.3% (95% CI: 7.2–19.4%) were seropositive for at least two pathogens. B. melitensis was the only Brucella spp. detected. The high sero-positivity rates are indicative of the endemicity of these pathogens among camel populations and the possible role the species has in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases. Considering the strong association between human infection and contact with livestock for most zoonotic infections in Kenya, there is immediate need to conduct further research to determine the role of camels in transmission of these zoonoses to other livestock species and humans. This information will be useful for designing more effective surveillance systems and intervention measures. Dromedary camels are well adapted to the arid and semi-arid environment that makes up about 80% of Kenya’s landmass. As such, camels play an important role in the socio-economic wellbeing and food security of pastoralists in the country. However, the species remains relatively neglected in scientific research, one of the main reasons being camels are mostly found in remote, low-income, arid regions of Africa and Asia. We carried out a study to determine the levels of exposure of camels in northern Kenya to Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus, three priority zoonotic pathogens in the country. We found high levels of exposure to the three pathogens, indicating the important role camels might play in the epidemiology of the zoonotic diseases in humans and other livestock. Based on the study findings, we argue for the immediate need for investments in disease surveillance and control strategies for priority zoonotic disease in camels in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Muturi
- Zoonotic Disease Unit Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - James Akoko
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Nthiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | | | | | | | - Josphat Maina
- Zoonotic Disease Unit Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - S. M. Thumbi
- Center for Epidemiological and Modelling Analysis, University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Paul G Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Mutono Nyamai
- Center for Epidemiological and Modelling Analysis, University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya
- Paul G Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Samuel Kahariri
- Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rinah Sitawa
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Kimutai
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wilson Kuria
- Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Athman Mwatondo
- Zoonotic Disease Unit Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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17
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Khamassi Khbou M, Daaloul Jedidi M, Bouaicha Zaafouri F, Benzarti M. Coronaviruses in farm animals: Epidemiology and public health implications. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:322-347. [PMID: 32976707 PMCID: PMC7537542 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are documented in a wide range of animal species, including terrestrial and aquatic, domestic and wild. The geographic distribution of animal CoVs is worldwide and prevalences were reported in several countries across the five continents. The viruses are known to cause mainly gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases with different severity levels. In certain cases, CoV infections are responsible of huge economic losses associated or not to highly public health impact. Despite being enveloped, CoVs are relatively resistant pathogens in the environment. Coronaviruses are characterized by a high mutation and recombination rate, which makes host jumping and cross-species transmission easy. In fact, increasing contact between different animal species fosters cross-species transmission, while agriculture intensification, animal trade and herd management are key drivers at the human-animal interface. If contacts with wild animals are still limited, humans have much more contact with farm animals, during breeding, transport, slaughter and food process, making CoVs a persistent threat to both humans and animals. A global network should be established for the surveillance and monitoring of animal CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médiha Khamassi Khbou
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonoses, and Sanitary RegulationUniv. Manouba. Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi ThabetSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - Monia Daaloul Jedidi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniv. ManoubaEcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi ThabetSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - Faten Bouaicha Zaafouri
- Department of Livestock Semiology and MedicineUniv. ManoubaEcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi ThabetSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - M’hammed Benzarti
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonoses, and Sanitary RegulationUniv. Manouba. Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi ThabetSidi ThabetTunisia
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18
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Sitawa R, Folorunso F, Obonyo M, Apamaku M, Kiambi S, Gikonyo S, Kiptiness J, Njagi O, Githinji J, Ngoci J, VonDobschuetz S, Morzaria S, Ihab E, Gardner E, Wiersma L, Makonnen Y. Risk factors for serological evidence of MERS-CoV in camels, Kenya, 2016-2017. Prev Vet Med 2020; 185:105197. [PMID: 33186881 PMCID: PMC7605751 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging viral disease and dromedary camels are known to be the source of human spill over events. A cross-sectional epidemiological surveillance study was carried out in Kenya in 2017 to, 1) estimate MERS-CoV antibody seropositivity in the camel-dense counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia and Nakuru to identify, and 2) determine the risk factors associated with seropositivity in camels. Blood samples were collected from a total of 1421 camels selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were also collected from camel owners or herders using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The sera from camel samples were tested for the presence of circulating antibodies to MERS-CoV using the anti-MERS-CoV IgG ELISA test. Univariate and multivariable statistical analysis were used to investigate factors potentially associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity in camels. The overall seropositivity in camel sera was 62.9 %, with the highest seropositivity recorded in Isiolo County (77.7 %), and the lowest seropositivity recorded in Nakuru County (14.0 %). When risk factors for seropositivity were assessed, the "Type of camel production system" {(aOR = 5.40(95 %CI: 1.67-17.49)}, "Age between 1-2 years, 2-3 years and above 3 years" {(aOR = 1.64 (95 %CI: 1.04-2.59}", {(aOR = 3.27 (95 %CI: 3.66-5.61)}" and {(aOR = 6.12 (95 %CI: 4.04-9.30)} respectively and "Sex of camels" {(aOR = 1.75 (95 %CI: 1.27-2.41)} were identified as significant predictors of MERS-CoV seropositivity. Our studies indicate a high level of seropositivity to MERS-CoV in camels in the counties surveyed, and highlights the important risk factors associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity in camels. Given that MERS-CoV is a zoonosis, and Kenya possesses the fourth largest camel population in Africa, these findings are important to inform the development of efficient and risk-based prevention and mitigation strategies against MERS-CoV transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinah Sitawa
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya.
| | - Fasina Folorunso
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Tanzania
| | - Mark Obonyo
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya
| | - Michael Apamaku
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya
| | - Stella Kiambi
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya
| | - Stephen Gikonyo
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya
| | - Joshua Kiptiness
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kenya
| | - Obadiah Njagi
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Kenya
| | - Jane Githinji
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Kenya
| | - James Ngoci
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Kenya
| | | | - Subhash Morzaria
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - ElMasry Ihab
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Gardner
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - Lidewij Wiersma
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - Yilma Makonnen
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
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19
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High MERS-CoV seropositivity associated with camel herd profile, husbandry practices and household socio-demographic characteristics in Northern Kenya. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e292. [PMID: 33256863 PMCID: PMC7737118 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820002939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite high exposure to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the predictors for seropositivity in the context of husbandry practices for camels in Eastern Africa are not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to describe the camel herd profile and determine the factors associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity in Northern Kenya. We enrolled 29 camel-owning households and administered questionnaires to collect herd and household data. Serum samples collected from 493 randomly selected camels were tested for anti-MERS-CoV antibodies using a microneutralisation assay, and regression analysis used to correlate herd and household characteristics with camel seropositivity. Households reared camels (median = 23 camels and IQR 16–56), and at least one other livestock species in two distinct herds; a home herd kept near homesteads, and a range/fora herd that resided far from the homestead. The overall MERS-CoV IgG seropositivity was 76.3%, with no statistically significant difference between home and fora herds. Significant predictors for seropositivity (P ⩽ 0.05) included camels 6–10 years old (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.2), herds with ⩾25 camels (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4) and camels from Gabra community (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.2). These results suggest high levels of virus transmission among camels, with potential for human infection.
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20
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The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the breath of some infected dromedary camels ( Camelus dromedarius). Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e247. [PMID: 33050973 PMCID: PMC7588717 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820002459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dromedary camels remain the currently identified reservoir for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The virus is released in the secretions of the infected camels, especially the nasal tract. The virus shedding curve through the nasal secretions was studied. Although human transmission of the virus through the respiratory tract of close contact people with dromedary reported previously, the exact mechanism of transmission is still largely unknown. The main goal of this study was to check the possibility of MERS-CoV shedding in the exhaled air of the infected camels. To achieve this goal, we conducted a follow-up study in one of the dromedary camel herds, December 2018–April 2019. We tested nasal swabs, breath samples from animals within this herd by the real-time PCR. Our results showed that some of the tested nasal swabs and breath were positive from 24 March 2019 until 7 April 2019. The phylogenetic analysis of the obtained S and N gene sequences revealed the detected viruses are clustering together with some human and camel samples from the eastern region, especially from Al-Hufuf city, as well as some samples from Qatar and Jordon. These results are clearly showing the possibility of shedding of the virus in the breath of the infected camels. This could explain, at least in part, the mechanism of transmission of MERS-CoV from animals to humans. This study is confirming the shedding of MERS-CoV in the exhaled air of the infected camels. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of the MERS-CoV.
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21
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Alnaeem A, Kasem S, Qasim I, Al-Doweriej A, Al-Houfufi A, Alwazan A, Albadrani A, Alshaammari K, Refaat M, Al-Shabebi A, Hemida MG. Some pathological observations on the naturally infected dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia 2018-2019. Vet Q 2020; 40:190-197. [PMID: 32543343 PMCID: PMC7734115 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2020.1781350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The natural MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels is understudied. Recent experimental studies showed no obvious clinical signs in the infected dromedary camels. Aim To study the pathological changes associated with natural MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels. Methods Tissues from three MERS-CoV positive animals as well as two negative animals were collected and examined for the presence of pathological changes. The screening of the animals was carried out first by the rapid agglutination test and then confirmed by the RT-PCR. The selected animals ranged from six to twelve months in age. The sensitivity of the latter technique was much higher in the detection of MERS-CoV than the Rapid test (14 out of 75 animals positive or 18% versus 31 out of 75 positive or 41%). Results MERS-CoV induced marked desquamation of the respiratory epithelium accompanied by lamina propria and submucosal mononuclear cells infiltration, epithelial hyperplasia in the respiratory tract, and interstitial pneumonia. Ciliary cell loss was seen in the trachea and turbinate. In addition, degeneration of glomerular capillaries with the complete destruction of glomerular tufts that were replaced with fibrinous exudate in renal corpuscles in the renal cortex were noticed. Expression of the MERS-CoV-S1 and MERS-CoV-N proteins was revealed in respiratory tract, and kidneys. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the pathological changes of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels under natural conditions. In contrast to experimental infection in case of spontaneous infection interstitial pneumonea is evident at least in some affected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmohsen Alnaeem
- Department of clinical studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samy Kasem
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Qasim
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Al-Doweriej
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Al-Houfufi
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulatif Alwazan
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdalaziz Albadrani
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khuzayyim Alshaammari
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Refaat
- Department of Pathology, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pathology, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulkareem Al-Shabebi
- Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maged Gomaa Hemida
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.,Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia
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22
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Hughes EC, Anderson NE. Zoonotic Pathogens of Dromedary Camels in Kenya: A Systematised Review. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030103. [PMID: 32764264 PMCID: PMC7559378 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Kenya is home to Africa’s third largest population of dromedary camels, and production at commercial and local levels are increasingly important. In pastoral and nomadic communities in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), camels play a vital role in food security, while commercial milk production and formalized export markets are rapidly emerging as camel populations expand into non-traditional areas. Until recently, little focus was placed on camels as hosts of zoonotic disease, but the emergence of Middle Eastern respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and the discovery of exposure to the virus in Kenyan camels, highlighted the need for further understanding of this area. This systematised review utilised a robust search strategy to assess the occurrence of camel-associated zoonoses in Kenya and to evaluate the quality of the published literature. Seventy-four studies were identified, covering sixteen pathogens, with an increasing number of good quality studies in recent years. Despite this, the area remains under-researched and there is a lack of robust, high-quality research. Trypanosome spp., Echinococcus granulosus and Brucella spp. appeared most frequently in the literature. Pathogens with the highest reported prevalence were MERS-CoV (0–100%), Echinococcus granulosa (7–60%) and Rift Valley fever virus (7–57%). Exposure to Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus showed higher levels in camel or camel-associated vectors than other livestock species, although brucellosis was the only disease for which there was robust evidence linking camel and human exposure. Zoonotic agents with less severe human health outcomes, such as Dermatophilosus congolensis and contagious ecthyma, were also represented in the literature. This review provides an important summary of the scope and quality of current knowledge. It demonstrates that further research, and improved adherence to robust study design and reporting are essential if the zoonotic risk from camels in Kenya, and elsewhere, is to be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Clare Hughes
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK;
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Henry Wellcome Building, Garscube Campus, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Neil Euan Anderson
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK;
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23
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Abstract
Since human coronavirus (HCoV)-like particles were detected in the stool specimens of acute gastroenteritis and necrotizing enterocolitis children with electron microscopy, the relationship between HCoV and the pediatric gastrointestinal illness had been recognized. In recent years, the overall detection rates have been low and have varied by region. HCoVs have not been considered as the major pathogens in pediatric acute gastroenteritis. HCoVs detected in children with acute gastroenteritis have included 229E, OC43, HKU1, NL63, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 have also been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in children. Although digestive tract has been recognized as an infection route, it has not been possible to fully investigate the association between HCoVs infection and the gastrointestinal symptoms because of the limited number of pediatric cases. Furthermore, pathologic features have not been clear. Till now, our knowledge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is limited. However, diarrhea and vomiting have been seen in pediatric cases, particularly in newborns and infants. It has been necessary to pay more attention on gastrointestinal transmission to identify the infected children early and avoid the children without apparent or mild symptoms becoming the sources of infection.
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Kİ̇Lİ̇ÇASLAN Ö, SAV N, ERİŞEN KARACA S, KOCABAY K. COVID-19 Disease in Children: Clinical Course, Diagnosis and Treatment Overview and Literature Data Compilation. KONURALP TIP DERGISI 2020. [DOI: 10.18521/ktd.722266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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Tolah AM, AL Masaudi SB, El-Kafrawy SA, Mirza AA, Harakeh SM, Hassan AM, Alsaadi MA, Alzahrani AA, Alsaaidi GA, Amor NMS, Alagaili AN, Hashem AM, Azhar EI. Cross-sectional prevalence study of MERS-CoV in local and imported dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia, 2016-2018. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232790. [PMID: 32453746 PMCID: PMC7250453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an endemic virus in dromedaries. Annually, Saudi Arabia imports thousands of camels from the Horn of Africa, yet the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in these animals is largely unknown. Here, MERS-CoV prevalence was compared in imported African camels and their local counterparts. A total of 1399 paired sera and nasal swabs were collected from camels between 2016 and 2018. Imported animals from Sudan (n = 829) and Djibouti (n = 328) were sampled on incoming ships at Jeddah Islamic seaport before unloading, and local camels were sampled from Jeddah (n = 242). Samples were screened for neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and MERS-CoV viral RNA. The overall seroprevalence was 92.7% and RNA detection rate was 17.2%. Imported camels had higher seroprevalence compared to resident herds (93.8% vs 87.6%, p <0.01) in contrast to RNA detection (13.3% vs 35.5%, p <0.0001). Seroprevalence significantly increased with age (p<0.0001) and viral RNA detection rate was ~2-folds higher in camels <2-year-old compared to older animals. RNA detection was higher in males verses females (24.3% vs 12.6%, p<0.0001) but seroprevalence was similar. Concurrent positivity for viral RNA and nAbs was found in >87% of the RNA positive animals, increased with age and was sex-dependent. Importantly, reduced viral RNA load was positively correlated with nAb titers. Our data confirm the widespread of MERS-CoV in imported and domestic camels in Saudi Arabia and highlight the need for continuous active surveillance and better prevention measures. Further studies are also warranted to understand camels correlates of protection for proper vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. Tolah
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad B. AL Masaudi
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sherif A. El-Kafrawy
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A. Mirza
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve M. Harakeh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Hassan
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A. Alsaadi
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman A. Alzahrani
- Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghaleb A. Alsaaidi
- Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil M. S. Amor
- KSU Mammals Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz N. Alagaili
- KSU Mammals Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M. Hashem
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail: (AH); (EA)
| | - Esam I. Azhar
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail: (AH); (EA)
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26
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Dabravolski SA, Kavalionak YK. SARS-CoV-2: Structural diversity, phylogeny, and potential animal host identification of spike glycoprotein. J Med Virol 2020; 92:1690-1694. [PMID: 32374452 PMCID: PMC7267556 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the evolutionary history of the current pandemic outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), a total of 137 genomes of coronavirus strains with release dates between January 2019 and 25 March 2020, were analyzed. To investigate the potential intermediate host of the SARS‐CoV‐2, we analyzed spike glycoprotein sequences from different animals, with particular emphasis on bats. We performed phylogenetic analysis and structural reconstruction of the spike glycoproteins with subsequent alignment and comparison. Our phylogenetic results revealed that SARS‐CoV‐2 was more similar to the bats' betacoronavirus isolates: HKU5‐related from Pipistrellus abramus and HKU4‐related from Tylonycteris pachypus. We also identified a yak betacoronavirus strain, YAK/HY24/CH/2017, as the closest match in the comparison of the structural models of spike glycoproteins. Interestingly, a set of unique features has been described for this particular strain of the yak betacoronavirus. Therefore, our results suggest that the human SARS‐CoV‐2, responsible for the current outbreak of COVID‐19, could also come from yak as an intermediate host. Spike glycoprotein sequences analysis of the set of recent corona viruses compared to SARS‐CoV‐2. Phylogenetic and structural analysis of the spike glycoproteins sequences. Phylogenetic study shows close clustering of SARS‐CoV‐2 and bats' coronavirus sequences. Structures comparison suggests yak (Bos grunniens) as an intermediate host for the SARS‐CoV‐2. The N‐terminal domain binds to carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) in mouse hepatitis coronavirus, and binds sugar in porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus.
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Idubor OI, Kobayashi M, Ndegwa L, Okeyo M, Galgalo T, Kalani R, Githii S, Hunsperger E, Balajee A, Verani JR, da Gloria Carvalho M, Winchell J, Van Beneden CA, Widdowson MA, Makayotto L, Chaves SS. Improving Detection and Response to Respiratory Events - Kenya, April 2016-April 2020. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2020; 69:540-544. [PMID: 32379727 PMCID: PMC7737949 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6918a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Coronavirus Infections in Children Including COVID-19: An Overview of the Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Options in Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2020. [PMID: 32310621 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000002660)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of enveloped, single-stranded, zoonotic RNA viruses. Four CoVs commonly circulate among humans: HCoV2-229E, -HKU1, -NL63 and -OC43. However, CoVs can rapidly mutate and recombine leading to novel CoVs that can spread from animals to humans. The novel CoVs severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) emerged in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is currently causing a severe outbreak of disease (termed COVID-19) in China and multiple other countries, threatening to cause a global pandemic. In humans, CoVs mostly cause respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical manifestations range from a common cold to more severe disease such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure and even death. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 seem to less commonly affect children and to cause fewer symptoms and less severe disease in this age group compared with adults, and are associated with much lower case-fatality rates. Preliminary evidence suggests children are just as likely as adults to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 but are less likely to be symptomatic or develop severe symptoms. However, the importance of children in transmitting the virus remains uncertain. Children more often have gastrointestinal symptoms compared with adults. Most children with SARS-CoV present with fever, but this is not the case for the other novel CoVs. Many children affected by MERS-CoV are asymptomatic. The majority of children infected by novel CoVs have a documented household contact, often showing symptoms before them. In contrast, adults more often have a nosocomial exposure. In this review, we summarize epidemiologic, clinical and diagnostic findings, as well as treatment and prevention options for common circulating and novel CoVs infections in humans with a focus on infections in children.
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Zimmermann P, Curtis N. Coronavirus Infections in Children Including COVID-19: An Overview of the Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Options in Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2020; 39:355-368. [PMID: 32310621 PMCID: PMC7158880 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000002660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 661] [Impact Index Per Article: 165.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of enveloped, single-stranded, zoonotic RNA viruses. Four CoVs commonly circulate among humans: HCoV2-229E, -HKU1, -NL63 and -OC43. However, CoVs can rapidly mutate and recombine leading to novel CoVs that can spread from animals to humans. The novel CoVs severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) emerged in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is currently causing a severe outbreak of disease (termed COVID-19) in China and multiple other countries, threatening to cause a global pandemic. In humans, CoVs mostly cause respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical manifestations range from a common cold to more severe disease such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure and even death. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 seem to less commonly affect children and to cause fewer symptoms and less severe disease in this age group compared with adults, and are associated with much lower case-fatality rates. Preliminary evidence suggests children are just as likely as adults to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 but are less likely to be symptomatic or develop severe symptoms. However, the importance of children in transmitting the virus remains uncertain. Children more often have gastrointestinal symptoms compared with adults. Most children with SARS-CoV present with fever, but this is not the case for the other novel CoVs. Many children affected by MERS-CoV are asymptomatic. The majority of children infected by novel CoVs have a documented household contact, often showing symptoms before them. In contrast, adults more often have a nosocomial exposure. In this review, we summarize epidemiologic, clinical and diagnostic findings, as well as treatment and prevention options for common circulating and novel CoVs infections in humans with a focus on infections in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Zimmermann
- From the Department of Paediatrics, Fribourg Hospital HFR and Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
| | - Nigel Curtis
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
- Infectious Diseases Unit, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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30
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Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the 'One Health' Concept. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040301. [PMID: 32325980 PMCID: PMC7238228 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are of great public health concern. The recent emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 in China, which causes COVID-19 disease in humans, and its current spread to several countries, leading to the first pandemic in history to be caused by a coronavirus, highlights the significance of zoonotic viral diseases. Rift Valley fever, rabies, West Nile, chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, and influenza viruses among many other viruses have been reported from different African countries. The paucity of information, lack of knowledge, limited resources, and climate change, coupled with cultural traditions make the African continent a hotspot for vector-borne and zoonotic viral diseases, which may spread globally. Currently, there is no information available on the status of virus diseases in Africa. This systematic review highlights the available information about viral diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, reported in Africa. The findings will help us understand the trend of emerging and re-emerging virus diseases within the African continent. The findings recommend active surveillance of viral diseases and strict implementation of One Health measures in Africa to improve human public health and reduce the possibility of potential pandemics due to zoonotic viruses.
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31
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Degnah AA, Al-Amri SS, Hassan AM, Almasoud AS, Mousa M, Almahboub SA, Alhabbab RY, Mirza AA, Hindawi SI, Alharbi NK, Azhar EI, Hashem AM. Seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in healthy adults in western Saudi Arabia, 2011-2016. J Infect Public Health 2020; 13:697-703. [PMID: 32005618 PMCID: PMC7104088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a newly recognized zoonotic coronavirus. Current evidence confirms the role of dromedaries in primary human infections but does not explain the sporadic community cases. However, asymptomatic or subclinical cases could represent a possible source of infection in the community. Methods Archived human sera (7461) collected between 2011 and 2016 from healthy adult blood donors from 50 different nationalities in the western part of Saudi Arabia were obtained for MERS-CoV seroprevalence investigation. Samples were tested for MERS-CoV S1-specific antibodies (Abs) by ELISA and confirmed by testing for neutralizing Abs (nAbs) using both pseudotyped and live virus neutralization assays. Results Out of 7461 samples, 174 sera from individuals with 18 different nationalities were ELISA positive (2.3%, 95% CI 2.0–2.7). Presence of nAbs was confirmed in 17 samples (0.23%, 95% CI 0.1–0.4) of which one sample exhibited positivity in both neutralization assays. Confirmed seropositivity was identified in young (15–44 years) men and women from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, and India without significant preference. Conclusions An increasing trend of MERS-CoV seroprevalence was observed in the general population in western Saudi Arabia, suggesting that asymptomatic or mild infections might exist and act as an unrecognized source of infection. Seropositivity of individuals from different nationalities underscores the potential MERS exportation outside of the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, enhanced and continuous surveillance is highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afnan A Degnah
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sawsan S Al-Amri
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Hassan
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman S Almasoud
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manar Mousa
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah A Almahboub
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rowa Y Alhabbab
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A Mirza
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salwa I Hindawi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif Khalaf Alharbi
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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32
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Zhang W, Zheng XS, Agwanda B, Ommeh S, Zhao K, Lichoti J, Wang N, Chen J, Li B, Yang XL, Mani S, Ngeiywa KJ, Zhu Y, Hu B, Onyuok SO, Yan B, Anderson DE, Wang LF, Zhou P, Shi ZL. Serological evidence of MERS-CoV and HKU8-related CoV co-infection in Kenyan camels. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 8:1528-1534. [PMID: 31645223 PMCID: PMC6818114 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1679610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Dromedary camels are important reservoir hosts of various coronaviruses, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that cause human infections. CoV genomes regularly undergo recombination during infection as observed in bat SARS-related CoVs. Here we report for the first time that only a small proportion of MERS-CoV receptor-binding domain positive (RBD) of spike protein positive camel sera in Kenya were also seropositive to MERS-CoV nucleocapsid (NP). In contrast, many of them contain antibodies against bat HKU8-related (HKU8r)-CoVs. Among 584 camel samples that were positive against MERS-CoV RBD, we found only 0.48 (8.22%) samples were also positive for NP. Furthermore, we found bat HKU8r-CoV NP antibody in 73 (12.5%) of the MERS-CoV RBD positive and NP negative samples, yet found only 3 (0.43%) of the HKU8r-CoV S1 antibody in the same samples. These findings may indicate co-infection with MERS-CoV and a HKU8r-CoV in camels. It may also raise the possibility of the circulation of a recombinant coronavirus virus with the spike of MERS-CoV and the NP of a HKU8r-CoV in Kenya. We failed to find molecular evidence of an HKU8r-CoV or a putative recombinant virus. Our findings should alert other investigators to look for molecular evidence of HKU8r-CoV or recombinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Shuang Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Bernard Agwanda
- Department of Zoology, National Museums of Kenya , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Sheila Ommeh
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Kai Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Jacqueline Lichoti
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture , Livestock and Fisheries , Kenya
| | - Ning Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Lou Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Shailendra Mani
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Kisa-Juma Ngeiywa
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture , Livestock and Fisheries , Kenya.,Kenya Camel Association , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Yan Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Samson Omondi Onyuok
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Danielle E Anderson
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Peng Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Li Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
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Abstract
The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a novel lethal zoonotic disease of humans caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Although MERS is endemic to the Middle East, travelers have exported MERS-CoV on return to their home countries. Clinical manifestations range from mild to severe acute respiratory disease and death. The elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic comorbid liver, lung, and hepatic conditions have a high mortality rate. There is no specific treatment. Person-to-person spread causes hospital and household outbreaks, and thus improved compliance with internationally recommended infection control protocols and rapid implementation of infection control measures are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - David S C Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Stanley Ho Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Ziad A Memish
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine and Research, Prince Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Center for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, Royal Free Campus 2nd Floor, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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Kandeil A, Gomaa M, Nageh A, Shehata MM, Kayed AE, Sabir JSM, Abiadh A, Jrijer J, Amr Z, Said MA, Byarugaba DK, Wabwire-Mangen F, Tugume T, Mohamed NS, Attar R, Hassan SM, Linjawi SA, Moatassim Y, Kutkat O, Mahmoud S, Bagato O, Shama NMA, El-Shesheny R, Mostafa A, Perera RA, Chu DK, Hassan N, Elsokary B, Saad A, Sobhy H, El Masry I, McKenzie PP, Webby RJ, Peiris M, Makonnen YJ, Ali MA, Kayali G. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Dromedary Camels in Africa and Middle East. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080717. [PMID: 31387326 PMCID: PMC6723520 DOI: 10.3390/v11080717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dromedary camels are the natural reservoirs of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels are mostly bred in East African countries then exported into Africa and Middle East for consumption. To understand the distribution of MERS-CoV among camels in North Africa and the Middle East, we conducted surveillance in Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. We also performed longitudinal studies of three camel herds in Egypt and Jordan to elucidate MERS-CoV infection and transmission. Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 4027 nasal swabs and 3267 serum samples were collected from all countries. Real- time PCR revealed that MERS-CoV RNA was detected in nasal swab samples from Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Microneutralization assay showed that antibodies were detected in all countries. Positive PCR samples were partially sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was built. The tree suggested that all sequences are of clade C and sequences from camels in Egypt formed a separate group from previously published sequences. Longitudinal studies showed high seroprevalence in adult camels. These results indicate the widespread distribution of the virus in camels. A systematic active surveillance and longitudinal studies for MERS-CoV are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease and dynamics of viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Kandeil
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Mokhtar Gomaa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Nageh
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Kayed
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Jamal S M Sabir
- Center of excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia
- Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Zuhair Amr
- Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Mounir Abi Said
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Al Fanar 90656, Lebanon
| | - Denis K Byarugaba
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda
| | - Fred Wabwire-Mangen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda
| | - Titus Tugume
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda
| | - Nadira S Mohamed
- Department of Genebank and Genetic Sequence, Forensic DNA Research and Training Center, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad 10072, Iraq
| | - Roba Attar
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabah M Hassan
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia
- Princess Doctor Najla Saud Al-Saud Distinguished Research Center for Biotechnology, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11241, Egypt
| | | | - Yassmin Moatassim
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Omnia Kutkat
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Sara Mahmoud
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Ola Bagato
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Noura M Abo Shama
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Rabeh El-Shesheny
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105, USA
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Ranawaka Apm Perera
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Rd, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daniel Kw Chu
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Rd, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nagla Hassan
- General Organizations of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Nadi Saed St. 1, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Basma Elsokary
- General Organizations of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Nadi Saed St. 1, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Saad
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Emergency Center for Transboundary, Animal Diseases, Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt
| | - Heba Sobhy
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Emergency Center for Transboundary, Animal Diseases, Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt
| | - Ihab El Masry
- Animal Health Services (AGAH), Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt
| | - Pamela P McKenzie
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105, USA
| | - Richard J Webby
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105, USA
| | - Malik Peiris
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Rd, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yilma J Makonnen
- Animal Health Services (AGAH), Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Virus, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt.
- Center of excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia.
- Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80203, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ghazi Kayali
- Human Link, Hazmieh 1109, Lebanon.
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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35
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Spike proteins of novel MERS-coronavirus isolates from North- and West-African dromedary camels mediate robust viral entry into human target cells. Virology 2019; 535:261-265. [PMID: 31357164 PMCID: PMC7112047 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The highly pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-related coronavirus (CoV) is transmitted from dromedary camels, the natural reservoir, to humans. For at present unclear reasons, MERS cases have so far only been observed in the Arabian Peninsula, although MERS-CoV also circulates in African dromedary camels. A recent study showed that MERS-CoV found in North/West- (Morocco) and West-African (Burkina Faso and Nigeria) dromedary camels are genetically distinct from Arabian viruses and have reduced replicative capacity in human cells, potentially due to amino acid changes in one or more viral proteins. Here, we show that the spike (S) proteins of the prototypic Arabian MERS-CoV strain, human betacoronavirus 2c EMC/2012, and the above stated African MERS-CoV variants do not appreciably differ in expression, DPP4 binding and ability to drive entry into target cells. Thus, virus-host-interactions at the entry stage may not limit spread of North- and West-African MERS-CoV in human cells.
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Dighe A, Jombart T, Van Kerkhove MD, Ferguson N. A systematic review of MERS-CoV seroprevalence and RNA prevalence in dromedary camels: Implications for animal vaccination. Epidemics 2019; 29:100350. [PMID: 31201040 PMCID: PMC6899506 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2019.100350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most adult dromedaries in Africa and the Middle East have been infected with MERS-CoV. Seroprevalence increases with age, while active infection is more common in calves. Prevalence is higher at sites where different dromedary populations mix. Further study is needed to determine if prevalence of infection varies seasonally.
Human infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is driven by recurring dromedary-to-human spill-over events, leading decision-makers to consider dromedary vaccination. Dromedary vaccine candidates in the development pipeline are showing hopeful results, but gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in dromedaries must be addressed to design and evaluate potential vaccination strategies. We aim to bring together existing measures of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels to assess the distribution of infection, highlighting knowledge gaps and implications for animal vaccination. We systematically reviewed the published literature on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science that reported seroprevalence and/or prevalence of active MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. 60 studies met our eligibility criteria. Qualitative syntheses determined that MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age up to 80–100% in adult dromedaries supporting geographically widespread endemicity of MERS-CoV in dromedaries in both the Arabian Peninsula and countries exporting dromedaries from Africa. The high prevalence of active infection measured in juveniles and at sites where dromedary populations mix should guide further investigation – particularly of dromedary movement – and inform vaccination strategy design and evaluation through mathematical modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Dighe
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
| | - Thibaut Jombart
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Maria D Van Kerkhove
- Department of Global Infectious Hazards Management, Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Neil Ferguson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
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