1887
Research Open Access
Like 0

Abstract

Background

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a major concern for global public health. Dromedaries are the source of human zoonotic infection. MERS-CoV is enzootic among dromedaries on the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East and in Africa. Over 70% of infected dromedaries are found in Africa. However, all known zoonotic cases of MERS have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula with none being reported in Africa.

Aim

We aimed to investigate serological evidence of MERS-CoV infection in humans living in camel-herding areas in Morocco to provide insights on whether zoonotic transmission is taking place.

Methods

We carried out a cross sectional seroprevalence study from November 2017 through January 2018. We adapted a generic World Health Organization MERS-CoV questionnaire and protocol to assess demographic and risk factors of infection among a presumed high-risk population. ELISA, MERS-CoV spike pseudoparticle neutralisation tests (ppNT) and plaque neutralisation tests (PRNT) were used to assess MERS-CoV seropositivity.

Results

Serum samples were collected from camel slaughterhouse workers (n = 137), camel herders (n = 156) and individuals of the general population without occupational contact with camels but living in camel herding areas (n = 186). MERS-CoV neutralising antibodies with ≥ 90% reduction of plaque numbers were detected in two (1.5%) slaughterhouse workers, none of the camel herders and one individual from the general population (0.5%).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of zoonotic transmission of MERS-CoV in Morocco in people who have direct or indirect exposure to dromedary camels.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.48.1900244
2019-11-28
2024-03-28
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.48.1900244
Loading
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/eurosurveillance/24/48/eurosurv-24-48-6.html?itemId=/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.48.1900244&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Mehand MS, Al-Shorbaji F, Millett P, Murgue B. The WHO R&D Blueprint: 2018 review of emerging infectious diseases requiring urgent research and development efforts. Antiviral Res. 2018;159:63-7.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.009  PMID: 30261226 
  2. Aguanno R, ElIdrissi A, Elkholy AA, Ben Embarek P, Gardner E, Grant R, et al. MERS: Progress on the global response, remaining challenges and the way forward. Antiviral Res. 2018;159:35-44.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.002  PMID: 30236531 
  3. Zaki AM, van Boheemen S, Bestebroer TM, Osterhaus AD, Fouchier RA. Isolation of a novel coronavirus from a man with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(19):1814-20.  https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1211721  PMID: 23075143 
  4. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/Eastern Mediterranean). MERS Situation Update. Cairo: WHO/Eastern Mediterranean; August 2019.[Accessed 28 Nov 2019]. Available from: http://applications.emro.who.int/docs/EMROPub_MERS_August_2019_EN.pdf
  5. Haagmans BL, Al Dhahiry SH, Reusken CB, Raj VS, Galiano M, Myers R, et al. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: an outbreak investigation. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014;14(2):140-5.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70690-X  PMID: 24355866 
  6. Miguel E, Chevalier V, Ayelet G, Ben Bencheikh MN, Boussini H, Chu DK, et al. Risk factors for MERS coronavirus infection in dromedary camels in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Morocco, 2015. Euro Surveill. 2017;22(13):30498. . https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.13.30498  PMID: 28382915 
  7. Sikkema RS, Farag EABA, Islam M, Atta M, Reusken CBEM, Al-Hajri MM, et al. Global status of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: a systematic review. Epidemiol Infect. 2019;147:e84.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026881800345X  PMID: 30869000 
  8. Chu DKW, Hui KPY, Perera RAPM, Miguel E, Niemeyer D, Zhao J, et al. MERS coronaviruses from camels in Africa exhibit region-dependent genetic diversity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018;115(12):3144-9.  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1718769115  PMID: 29507189 
  9. Müller MA, Meyer B, Corman VM, Al-Masri M, Turkestani A, Ritz D, et al. Presence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus antibodies in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide, cross-sectional, serological study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2015;15(5):559-64.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(15)70090-3  PMID: 25863564 
  10. So RT, Perera RA, Oladipo JO, Chu DK, Kuranga SA, Chan KH, et al. Lack of serological evidence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in virus exposed camel abattoir workers in Nigeria, 2016. Euro Surveill. 2018;23(32):1800175.  https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.32.1800175  PMID: 30107872 
  11. Perera RA, Wang P, Gomaa MR, El-Shesheny R, Kandeil A, Bagato O, et al. 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(36):20574.  https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2013.18.36.20574  PMID: 24079378 
  12. Chu DK, Poon LL, Gomaa MM, Shehata MM, Perera RA, Abu Zeid D, et al. MERS coronaviruses in dromedary camels, Egypt. Emerg Infect Dis. 2014;20(6):1049-53.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2006.140299  PMID: 24856660 
  13. Munyua P, Corman VM, Bitek A, Osoro E, Meyer B, Müller MA, et al. No Serologic Evidence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection Among Camel Farmers Exposed to Highly Seropositive Camel Herds: A Household Linked Study, Kenya, 2013. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;96(6):1318-24.  https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0880  PMID: 28719257 
  14. Liljander A, Meyer B, Jores J, Müller MA, Lattwein E, Njeru I, et al. MERS-CoV Antibodies in Humans, Africa, 2013-2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016;22(6):1086-9.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2206.160064  PMID: 27071076 
  15. World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). World Animal Health Information Database (WAHIS) Interface. Paris: OIE; 2016. [Accessed 7 Apr 2019]. Available from: http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Wahidhome/Home
  16. World Health Organization (WHO). Cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study of MERS-CoV infection in high risk populations in contact with dromedary camels. Version 2. Geneva: WHO; Jul 2018. [Accessed 7 Apr 2019]. Available from: https://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/MERS_CoV_Cross_Sectional_Seroepi_Protocol.pdf
  17. Park SW, Perera RA, Choe PG, Lau EH, Choi SJ, Chun JY, et al. Comparison of serological assays in human Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-coronavirus infection. Euro Surveill. 2015;20(41):30042.  https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2015.20.41.30042  PMID: 26538277 
  18. Reusken CB, Farag EA, Jonges M, Godeke GJ, El-Sayed AM, Pas SD, et al. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA and neutralising antibodies in milk collected according to local customs from dromedary camels, Qatar, April 2014. Euro Surveill. 2014;19(23):20829.  https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2014.19.23.20829  PMID: 24957745 
  19. Arabi YM, Balkhy HH, Hayden FG, Bouchama A, Luke T, Baillie JK, et al. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(6):584-94.  https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1408795  PMID: 28177862 
  20. Alshukairi AN, Zheng J, Zhao J, Nehdi A, Baharoon SA, Layqah L, et al. High Prevalence of MERS-CoV Infection in Camel Workers in Saudi Arabia. MBio. 2018;9(5):e01985-18.  https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01985-18  PMID: 30377284 
  21. Reusken CB, Farag EA, Haagmans BL, Mohran KA, Godeke GJ 5th, Raj S, et al. Occupational Exposure to Dromedaries and Risk for MERS-CoV Infection, Qatar, 2013-2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015;21(8):1422-5.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2108.150481  PMID: 26196891 
  22. Al Hammadi ZM, Chu DK, Eltahir YM, Al Hosani F, Al Mulla M, Tarnini W, et al. Asymptomatic MERS-CoV Infection in Humans Possibly Linked to Infected Dromedaries Imported from Oman to United Arab Emirates, May 2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015;21(12):2197-200.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2112.151132  PMID: 26584223 
  23. Choe PG, Perera RAPM, Park WB, Song KH, Bang JH, Kim ES, et al. MERS-CoV Antibody Responses 1 Year after Symptom Onset, South Korea, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017;23(7):1079-84.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2307.170310  PMID: 28585916 
  24. Ko JH, Müller MA, Seok H, Park GE, Lee JY, Cho SY, et al. Serologic responses of 42 MERS-coronavirus-infected patients according to the disease severity. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):106-11.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.07.006  PMID: 28821364 
  25. Memish ZA, Alsahly A, Masri MA, Heil GL, Anderson BD, Peiris M, et al. Sparse evidence of MERS-CoV infection among animal workers living in Southern Saudi Arabia during 2012. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2015;9(2):64-7.  https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.12287  PMID: 25470665 
  26. Hemida MG, Al-Naeem A, Perera RA, Chin AW, Poon LL, Peiris M. Lack of middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus transmission from infected camels. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015;21(4):699-701.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2104.141949  PMID: 25811546 
  27. Khudhair A, Killerby ME, Al Mulla M, Abou Elkheir K, Ternanni W, Bandar Z, et al. Risk Factors for MERS-CoV Seropositivity among Animal Market and Slaughterhouse Workers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2014-2017. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019;25(5):927-35.  https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2505.181728  PMID: 31002068 
  28. Aburizaiza AS, Mattes FM, Azhar EI, Hassan AM, Memish ZA, Muth D, et al. Investigation of anti-middle East respiratory syndrome antibodies in blood donors and slaughterhouse workers in Jeddah and Makkah, Saudi Arabia, fall 2012. J Infect Dis. 2014;209(2):243-6.  https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jit589  PMID: 24218504 
  29. Zohaib A, Saqib M, Athar MA, Chen J, Sial AU, Khan S, et al. Countrywide Survey for MERS-Coronavirus Antibodies in Dromedaries and Humans in Pakistan. Virol Sin. 2018;33(5):410-7.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12250-018-0051-0  PMID: 30311100 
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.48.1900244
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Supplementary data

Submit comment
Close
Comment moderation successfully completed
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error