Dataset Information

Serological Evidence of MERS-CoV Antibodies in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Laikipia County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a recently identified virus causing severe viral respiratory illness in people. Little is known about the reservoir in the Horn of Africa. In Kenya, where no human MERS cases have been reported, our survey of 335 dromedary camels, representing nine herds in Laikipia County, showed a high seroprevalence (46.9%) to MERS-CoV antibodies. Between herd differences were present (14.3%- 82.9%), but was not related to management type or herd isolation. Further research should focus on identifying similarity between MERS-CoV viral isolates in Kenya and clinical isolates from the Middle East and elsewhere.

SUBMITTER: Deem SL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4608777 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Serological Evidence of MERS-CoV Antibodies in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Laikipia County, Kenya.

Deem Sharon L SL Fèvre Eric M EM Kinnaird Margaret M Browne A Springer AS Muloi Dishon D Godeke Gert-Jan GJ Koopmans Marion M Reusken Chantal B CB

PloS one 20151016 10

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a recently identified virus causing severe viral respiratory illness in people. Little is known about the reservoir in the Horn of Africa. In Kenya, where no human MERS cases have been reported, our survey of 335 dromedary camels, representing nine herds in Laikipia County, showed a high seroprevalence (46.9%) to MERS-CoV antibodies. Between herd differences were present (14.3%- 82.9%), but was not related to management type or herd isol ...[more]

PMID: 26473733

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Project description: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.

Project description:IntroductionFew studies have investigated the occurrence of microeukaryotic gut parasites in dromedary camels in Egypt, and the majority of these investigations are based on microscopic analysis of fecal material.MethodsHerein, we assessed the occurrence, molecular diversity, and zoonotic potential of protozoan (Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis) and microsporidian (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) pathogens in individual fecal samples (n = 102) of dromedary camels with (n = 26) and without (n = 76) diarrhea from Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. Other factors possibly associated with an increased risk of infection (geographical origin, sex, age, and physical condition) were also analyzed. The SSU rRNA or ITS genes were targeted by molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) techniques for pathogen detection and species identification.Results and discussionThe most abundant species detected was G. duodenalis (3.9%, 4/102; 95% CI: 1.1-9.7), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (2.9%, 3/102; 95% CI: 0.6-8.4). All samples tested negative for the presence of E. bieneusi. Sequence analysis data confirmed the presence of zoonotic C. parvum (66.7%, 2/3) and cattle-adapted C. bovis (33.3%, 1/3). These Cryptosporidium isolates, as well as the four Giardia-positive isolates, were unable to be amplified at adequate genotyping markers (Cryptosporidium: gp60; Giardia: gdh, bg, and tpi). Camels younger than 2 years old were significantly more likely to harbor Cryptosporidium infections. This connection was not statistically significant, although two of the three cryptosporidiosis cases were detected in camels with diarrhea. The spread of G. duodenalis infections was unaffected by any risk variables studied. This is the first report of C. parvum and C. bovis in Egyptian camels. The finding of zoonotic C. parvum has public health implications since camels may function as sources of oocyst pollution in the environment and potentially infect livestock and humans. Although preliminary, this study provides useful baseline data on the epidemiology of diarrhea-causing microeukaryotic parasites in Egypt. Further research is required to confirm and expand our findings in other animal populations and geographical regions of the country.

Dataset Information

Serological Evidence of MERS-CoV Antibodies in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Laikipia County, Kenya.

Publications

Serological Evidence of MERS-CoV Antibodies in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Laikipia County, Kenya.

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