Livestock Susceptibility to Infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Feb;23(2):232-240. doi: 10.3201/eid2302.161239. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Abstract

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cases continue to be reported, predominantly in Saudi Arabia and occasionally other countries. Although dromedaries are the main reservoir, other animal species might be susceptible to MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection and potentially serve as reservoirs. To determine whether other animals are potential reservoirs, we inoculated MERS-CoV into llamas, pigs, sheep, and horses and collected nasal and rectal swab samples at various times. The presence of MERS-CoV in the nose of pigs and llamas was confirmed by PCR, titration of infectious virus, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization; seroconversion was detected in animals of both species. Conversely, in sheep and horses, virus-specific antibodies did not develop and no evidence of viral replication in the upper respiratory tract was found. These results prove the susceptibility of llamas and pigs to MERS-CoV infection. Thus, the possibility of MERS-CoV circulation in animals other than dromedaries, such as llamas and pigs, is not negligible.

Keywords: DPP4; MERS; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome; animal model; coronavirus; dipeptidyl peptidase-4; horse; livestock; llama; pig; reservoir; sheep; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Animal Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Animal Diseases / virology
  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Horses
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Livestock / virology*
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus* / physiology
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • RNA, Viral
  • Sheep
  • Swine
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • RNA, Viral