Wide circulation among camels, especially during cooler months, is confirmed. 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.
【저자키워드】 viruses, zoonoses, coronavirus, MERS-CoV, Saudi Arabia, dromedary camels, Middle East respiratory syndrome, abattoir, 【초록키워드】 Infection, Intervention, age, circulation, nasal swab, temporal dynamics, group, reverse transcription PCR, Middle East, zoonotic infections, specimen, help, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, positive, MERS-CoV infection, positive sample, independent, tested, collected, proportion, peaked, reduce, interval, declined, lung tissue sample, MERS-CoV RNA, 【제목키워드】 respiratory, upper, Dromedary, tract,