Genomic Sequencing and Analysis of Eight Camel-Derived Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Isolates in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory illness in humans; the second-largest and most deadly outbreak to date occurred in Saudi Arabia. The dromedary camel is considered a possible host of the virus and also to act as a reservoir, transmitting the virus to humans. Here, we studied evolutionary relationships for 31 complete genomes of betacoronaviruses, including eight newly sequenced MERS-CoV genomes isolated from dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia. Through bioinformatics tools, we also used available sequences and 3D structure of MERS-CoV spike glycoprotein to predict MERS-CoV epitopes and assess antibody binding affinity. Phylogenetic analysis showed the eight new sequences have close relationships with existing strains detected in camels and humans in Arabian Gulf countries. The 2019-nCov strain appears to have higher homology to both bat coronavirus and SARS-CoV than to MERS-CoV strains. The spike protein tree exhibited clustering of MERS-CoV sequences similar to the complete genome tree, except for one sequence from Qatar (KF961222). B cell epitope analysis determined that the MERS-CoV spike protein has 24 total discontinuous regions from which just six epitopes were selected with score values of >80%. Our results suggest that the virus circulates by way of camels crossing the borders of Arabian Gulf countries. This study contributes to finding more effective vaccines in order to provide long-term protection against MERS-CoV and identifying neutralizing antibodies.

Evolution, Ecology, and Zoonotic Transmission of Betacoronaviruses: A Review

“…The precise mode of transmission for MERS-CoV, therefore, remains uncertain due to differences in the viral genome reported from different geographic regions (109,(191)(192)(193)(194)(195)(196)(197), including differences between the original African MERS-CoV and the current Saudi Arabian MERS-CoV clade (28,(198)(199)(200). MERS-CoV differs from the closely related bat viruses in binding to the DPP4 receptor, also referred to as CD26 cellular receptor (201,202) found in humans, dromedaries, and pigs (203)(204)(205).…”

Evaluation of liver stiffness using ultrasonic shear wave elastography in patients with COVID-19 induced pneumonia

“…Before 2002, there are two kinds of coronaviruses, coronavirus OC43 and coronavirus 229E, which can cause mild infections in people with appropriate immune systems. So, they are not considered to be highly pathogenic to humans (Abdirizak et al 2019;Al-Shomrani et al 2020). In 2003, one new kind of coronavirus, SARS coronavirus (SARS-Cov) outbreak and caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a serious and fatal infectious disease.…”

On the Prevalence and Potential Functionality of an Intrinsic Disorder in the MERS-CoV Proteome

“…As with other members of the Coronaviridae family, MERS-CoV transmission has been attributed to close unprotected human-to-human contact; however, MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus, indicating that the virus is also transmitted from animals to humans. While the virus is believed to have originated in bats, dromedary camels are its reservoir host and the mediator of virus transmission to humans [ 2 ]. There is a heightened sense of concern about MERS-CoV due to continued direct exposure to infected camels in some countries without strict hygiene measures; furthermore, the virus’s incubation period could be prolonged, extending up to 14 days.…”