title: MERS-CoV in Upper Respiratory Tract and Lungs of Dromedary Camels, Saudi Arabia, 2013-2014.
abstract: To assess the temporal dynamics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in dromedary camels, specimens were collected at 1-2 month intervals from 2 independent groups of animals during April 2013-May 2014 in Al-Ahsa Province, Saudi Arabia, and tested for MERS-CoV RNA by reverse transcription PCR. Of 96 live camels, 28 (29.2%) nasal swab samples were positive; of 91 camel carcasses, 56 (61.5%) lung tissue samples were positive. Positive samples were more commonly found among young animals (<4 years of age) than adults (>4 years of age). The proportions of positive samples varied by month for both groups; detection peaked during November 2013 and January 2014 and declined in March and May 2014. These findings further our understanding of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels and may help inform intervention strategies to reduce zoonotic infections.
authors.forename: Abdelmalik I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Khalafalla
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Abdullah I A
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Al-Mubarak
authors.forename: Abdul Hafeed S
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Dalab
authors.forename: Khalid A S
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Al-Busadah
authors.forename: Dean D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Erdman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000821:virology*; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000821:virology*; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; D009666:Nose / Q000821:virology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: MERS-CoV; Middle East Respiratory syndrome; Saudi Arabia; abattoir; coronavirus; dromedary camels; viruses; zoonoses