Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link
Volume 20, Number 6—June 2014
Dispatch

MERS Coronaviruses in Dromedary Camels, Egypt

Author affiliations: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China (D.K.W. Chu, L.L.M. Poon, R.A.P.M. Perera, Y. Guan, M. Peiris); National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt (M.M. Gomaa, M.M. Shehata, D.A. Zeid, A.S. El Rifay, M.A. Ali); HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, Hong Kong (L.Y. Siu); St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA (R.J. Webby, G. Kayali)

Cite This Article

Abstract

We identified the near-full-genome sequence (29,908 nt, >99%) of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from a nasal swab specimen from a dromedary camel in Egypt. We found that viruses genetically very similar to human MERS-CoV are infecting dromedaries beyond the Arabian Peninsula, where human MERS-CoV infections have not yet been detected.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a pneumonic illness caused by a novel lineage C betacoronavirus (CoV). During September 2012–January 20, 2014, a total of 178 confirmed cases in humans resulted in 76 deaths (1). Primary infections have originated from countries within the Arabian Peninsula, although travel-associated cases and some secondary transmission have been reported in other countries. Limited human-to-human transmission has resulted in clusters of cases, some associated with multiple rounds of human-to-human transmission (2); the remaining sporadic cases in humans are presumed to be of zoonotic origin.

MERS-CoV genomes are phylogenetically classified into 2 clades, clade A and B clusters (3). The viral genomes detected in the earliest cases in humans (clade A cluster; EMC/2012 and Jordan-N3/2012) are genetically distinct from the others (i.e., clade B). The proximate source of human infection remains unclear. MERS-CoV is related to, but not identical to, viruses detected in bats (4,5). A short RNA fragment of the conserved viral polymerase region identical to MERS-CoV has been identified in Taphozous perforates bats, but these findings need to be confirmed (6).

Serologic studies of domestic livestock in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have found high seroprevalance to a MERS-like CoV in dromedary camels but not in other domestic animals (711). An investigation of domestic animals in the vicinity of 2 persons with related infections detected fragments of viral RNA in dromedary camels in contact with these persons but whether this represented transmission from a unidentified source to humans and dromedaries, transmission from humans to dromedaries, or vice versa is not clear (12).

The Study

We collected nasal swab specimens from 110 apparently healthy dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) >6 years of age in abattoirs on 12 occasions during June–December 2013 (Table 1). Serum was collected from 52 of these dromedaries. Serum from 179 persons working in the camel abattoirs also was collected. Median age of these workers was 38 years (range 9–67 years), 84% were male, and 25 reported comorbidities (i.e., cardiovascular, renal, diabetes, other). Collection of the human specimens was approved by the ethics committee of the National Research Centre (Giza, Egypt), and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval for collection of animal samples was obtained from St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN, USA).

Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) targeting upstream of E gene of MERS-CoV was used for screening. The open reading frame (ORF) 1a gene was used for confirmation as recommended by the World Health Organization(www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/MERS_Lab_recos_16_Sept_2013.pdf?ua = 1). We also used a previously described pan-CoV nested PCR targeting the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region (13), and PCR products were analyzed by sequencing (Technical Appendix).

We detected MERS-CoV RNA in 4 (3.6%) of 110 nasal swab specimens from dromedary camels with the upstream of E gene assay (cycle threshold [Ct] 23.2–36.8), confirmed by the ORF1a assay (Ct 23.2–39.1), fulfilling the World Health Organization criteria for diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection (Table 1). PCR was repeated from a fresh RNA extract to confirm positive results. One positive sample was obtained from a camel in an abattoir in the Nile Delta region in November 2013 and 3 other samples from an abattoir in Cairo in December 2013. Virus culture attempts in Vero E6 cells (ATCC CRL-1586) so far have been unsuccessful. The pan-CoV nested PCR detected CoV in an additional 8 specimens from dromedary camels. Sequence analyses of these additional positive samples showed that these amplicon sequences were genetically similar to those of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) (>99% nucleotide similarity). No animal was co-infected with MERS-CoV and BCoV-like viruses. The animals positive for either MERS-CoV or BCoV-like virus were all imported from Sudan or Ethiopia for slaughter.

Figure 1

Thumbnail of Phylogenetic analyses of a partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence determined from samples from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) NRCE-HKU205 and NRCE-HKU270 that were positive for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The viral RdRp region analyzed is a highly conserved region of the genome (covering motif B of RdRp) in nonstructural protein 12, at position 15202–15582 of MERS-CoV genome. The partial RdRp sequence of NRCE-HKU205 (GenBank accessi

Figure 1. Phylogenetic analyses of a partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence determined from samples from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) NRCE-HKU205 and NRCE-HKU270 that were positive for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)The...

On phylogenetic analysis, the partial RdRp sequences from MERS-CoV–positive samples NRCE-HKU205 and NRCE-HKU270 grouped within the cluster of MERS-CoV (Figure 1). The viral load in the other 2 specimens was too low to provide amplicons suitable for genetic sequencing. Viral RNA from NRCE-HKU205, the first positive specimen detected, was selected for more detailed genomic sequencing. We amplified viral RNA by PCR, using primers specific for overlapping regions of human MERS-CoV genome. PCR products were sequenced and assembled to produce a near full-length genome, lacking only the 3′ untranslated region (29908 nt, >99% of the MERS-CoV genome) (online Technical Appendix). The camel MERS-CoV genome has an overall nucleotide similarity of 99.2%−99.5% and deduced amino acid similarity of 98.0%–100% to ORFs of human MERS-CoV EMC/2012 (Table 2). The 5′ untranslated region and internal transcriptional regulatory sequences of NRCE-HKU205 were identical to published human MERS-CoV sequences.

Using MERS-CoV EMC/2012 as a reference sequence, we found 12 aa differences (residues 23, 26, 194, 434, 666, 696, 756, 886, 888, 918, 1158, and 1333 of EMC/2012) in the spike protein of dromedary MERS-CoV NRCE-HKU205 and 1 aa deletion (residue 1293 of EMC/2012) in the N terminal of the transmembrane domain. NRCE-HKU270 virus spike does not have a deletion of residue 1293. Of these, only residue 434 falls within the proposed receptor binding domain of spike protein, but it is located at the core (stem) subdomain of the receptor binding domain, suggesting that the camel MERS-CoV is still likely to bind human CD26 (Technical Appendix Figure). The biological impact of this difference and other amino acid differences needs to be fully explored.

Figure 2

Thumbnail of Phylogenetic analyses of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from dromedary camels. Genomic (A), spike (B), and nucleocapsid (C) sequences of the dromedary camel MERS-CoV NRCE-HKU205 (GenBank accession no. KJ477102) were aligned with the corresponding human MERS-CoV (N = 25) sequences retrieved from GenBank (accession nos. as in Figure 1 legend). Phylogenetic trees were constructed by using MEGA5 (14) with neighbor-joining method. Numbers at nodes indicate bootst

Figure 2. Phylogenetic analyses of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from dromedary camelsGenomic (A), spike (B), and nucleocapsid (C) sequences of the dromedary camel MERS-CoV NRCE-HKU205 (GenBank accession noKJ477102) were aligned with...

We used phylogenetic analyses of the full genome, the spike gene, and nucleocapsid gene of MERS-CoV NRCE-HKU205 to compare with the same genes of other human MERS-CoVs (Figure 2). NRCE-HKU205 is within the clade A group but distinct from MERS-CoV EMC/2012, the only other MERS-CoV isolate available in our laboratory, excluding laboratory cross-contamination as an explanation for the detection of MERS-CoV from the dromedary specimens.

Using a previously described pseudoparticle neutralization assay (8), we detected antibodies against MERS-CoV (titer >20) in 48 (92.3%) of 52 dromedary serum samples with titers ranging from 20 to >640. Dromedary NRCE-HKU205 had a serum antibody titer of 640, possibly indicating a developing serologic response, as was noted previously (7), or the possibility of re-infection. Serum was not available from the other 3 animals with MERS-CoV RNA-positive nasal swab specimens.

Serum from 179 persons working in the dromedary abattoirs was negative for antibody to MERS-CoV. This finding includes 114 persons working in the 2 abattoirs from which the MERS-CoV–positive animal swab specimens were obtained.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that MERS-CoV infects dromedary camels and that this virus is genetically very similar to a MERS-CoV that is infecting humans. The detection of MERS-CoV in nasal swab specimens of camels in 2 of 12 sampling occasions in abattoirs, taken together with the high seropositivity to MERS-CoV in dromedaries previously reported, supports the contention that MERS-CoV infection is common in dromedaries. Studies of dromedaries within camel herds and through the animal marketing system supplying abattoirs are needed to define the epidemiology of the infection. Our findings strengthen the plausibility that dromedaries may be a potential source of human infection and emphasize the need for detailed epidemiologic investigation of the exposure histories of humans with MERS. However, the lack of serologic evidence of infection of humans working in these abattoirs suggests that transmission of this virus to humans is uncommon. The detection of MERS-CoV in dromedaries in Egypt, in animals imported from Sudan and Ethiopia, suggests that cases may occur in humans beyond the Arabian Peninsula. MERS CoV diagnostic tests should be considered for all patients with unexplained severe pneumonia in Egypt, northeastern Africa, and beyond.

Dr Chu is a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre of Influenza Research at the University of Hong Kong. His primary research interests are virus ecology. evolution of coronaviruses, astroviruses, and zoonotic infections.

Top

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by an internal research grant from the National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt; by a research contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases contract HHSN266200700005C; and a grant from the European Community Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under project European management Platform for Emerging and Re-emerging Disease entities (grant agreement no. 223498) (EMPERIE).

Top

References

  1. World Health Organization. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) summary and literature update—as of 20 January 2014 [cited 2014 Feb 20]. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/MERS_CoV_Update_20_Jan_2014.pdf
  2. Assiri  A, McGeer  A, Perl  TM, Price  CS, Al-Rabeeah  AA, Cummings  DAT, Hospital outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:40716 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Cotten  M, Watson  SJ, Kellam  P, Al-Rabeeah  AA, Makhdoom  HQ, Assiri  A, Transmission and evolution of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive genomic study. Lancet. 2013;382:19932002 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Annan  A, Baldwin  HJ, Corman  VM, Klose  SM, Owusu  M, Nkrumah  EE, Human betacoronavirus 2c EMC/2012–related viruses in bats, Ghana and Europe. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19:4569 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Ithete  NL, Stoffberg  S, Corman  VM, Cottontail  VM, Richards  LR, Schoeman  MC, Close relative of human Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in bat, South Africa. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19:16979 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. Memish  ZA, Mishra  N, Olival  KJ, Fagbo  SF, Kapoor  V, Epstein  JH, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in bats, Saudi Arabia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19:181923 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. Reusken  CBEM, Haagmans  BL, Müller  MA, Gutierrez  C, Godeke  G-J, Meyer  B, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus neutralising serum antibodies in dromedary camels: a comparative serological study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013;13:85966 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. Perera  RA, Wang  P, Gomaa  MR, El-Shesheny  R, Kandeil  A, Bagato  O, Seroepidemiology for MERS coronavirus using microneutralisation and pseudoparticle virus neutralisation assays reveal a high prevalence of antibody in dromedary camels in Egypt, June 2013. Euro Surveill. 2013;18:20574 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Reusken  CB, Ababneh  M, Raj  VS, Meyer  B, Eljarah  A, Abutarbush  S, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serology in major livestock species in an affected region in Jordan, June to September 2013. Euro Surveill. 2013;18:20662 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. Hemida  MG, Perera  RA, Wang  P, Alhammadi  MA, Siu  LY, Li  M, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus seroprevalence in domestic livestock in Saudi Arabia, 2010 to 2013. Euro Surveill. 2013;18:20659 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. Meyer  B, Müller  MA, Corman  VM, Reusken  CBEM, Ritz  D, Godeke  G-D, Antibodies against MERS coronavirus in dromedary camels, United Arab Emirates, 2003 and 2013. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2014 Apr [cited 2014 Feb 22]. DOIGoogle Scholar
  12. Haagmans  BL, Al Dhahiry  SH, Reusken  CB, Raj  VS, Galiano  M, Myers  R, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: an outbreak investigation. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014;14:1405 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  13. Chu  DK, Leung  CY, Gilbert  M, Joyner  PH, Ng  EM, Tse  TM, Avian coronavirus in wild aquatic birds. J Virol. 2011;85:1281520 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  14. Tamura  K, Peterson  D, Peterson  N, Stecher  G, Nei  M, Kumar  S. MEGA5: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis using maximum likelihood, evolutionary distance, and maximum parsimony methods. Mol Biol Evol. 2011;28:27319 and. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar

Top

Figures
Tables

Top

Cite This Article

DOI: 10.3201/eid2006.140299

1These authors contributed equally to this article.

Table of Contents – Volume 20, Number 6—June 2014

EID Search Options
presentation_01 Advanced Article Search – Search articles by author and/or keyword.
presentation_01 Articles by Country Search – Search articles by the topic country.
presentation_01 Article Type Search – Search articles by article type and issue.

Top

Comments

Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:

Addresses for correspondence: Malik Peiris, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Rd, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; ; Ghazi Kayali, Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA

Send To

10000 character(s) remaining.

Top

Page created: May 16, 2014
Page updated: May 16, 2014
Page reviewed: May 16, 2014
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
file_external