Antibodies against MERS coronavirus in dromedary camels, Kenya, 1992-2013

Emerg Infect Dis. 2014 Aug;20(8):1319-22. doi: 10.3201/eid2008.140596.

Abstract

Dromedary camels are a putative source for human infections with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. We showed that camels sampled in different regions in Kenya during 1992-2013 have antibodies against this virus. High densities of camel populations correlated with increased seropositivity and might be a factor in predicting long-term virus maintenance.

Keywords: Kenya; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; antibodies; coronavirus; dromedary camels; reservoir; seroprevalence; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Animal Diseases / history
  • Animal Diseases / transmission
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Camelus / immunology*
  • Camelus / virology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Geography
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / immunology*
  • Population Density

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral