First serological evidence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels from Algeria

Mohamed Anis Haroun; Maamar Khames; Said Fettata; Yacine Khames; Mouna El-Hassani; Nawel Zerouak; Karine Benachour; Mustapha Oumouna

doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102078

First serological evidence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels from Algeria

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2023 Dec:103:102078. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102078. Epub 2023 Oct 19.

Authors

Mohamed Anis Haroun¹, Maamar Khames², Said Fettata³, Yacine Khames⁴, Mouna El-Hassani¹, Nawel Zerouak¹, Karine Benachour², Mustapha Oumouna⁵

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Biology and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Medea, Algeria.
² Laboratory of Biology and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Medea, Algeria; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Medea, Algeria.
³ Private Veterinary Practitioner and Independent Researcher, Metlili El-Jadida, Ghardaia 47000, Algeria.
⁴ Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Medea, Algeria.
⁵ Laboratory of Biology and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Medea, Algeria; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Medea, Algeria. Electronic address: oumouna@gmail.com.

PMID: 37865007
DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102078

Abstract

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a zoonotic disease. Dromedary camel is responsible of its transmission to humans. Accordingly, several human cases have been reported worldwide with a high mortality rate. In Algeria, no data reported on MERS prevalence in camels. This is a first seroprevalence study MERS-CoV in Algerian dromedaries. A total of 87 camel blood samples from EL -MENIAA and Ghardaia, were analyzed by anti-MERS-CoV IgG ELISA camel. The seroprevalence was 64 % and it significantly increases with age. Larger serological and molecular screening is needed to precisely determine the rate of MERS active circulation among Algerian dromedary population.

Keywords: Algeria; Dromedary; ELISA; MERS-CoV; Seroprevalence.

MeSH terms

Algeria / epidemiology
Animals
Camelus
Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
Coronavirus Infections* / veterinary
Humans
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus* / genetics
Seroepidemiologic Studies