Local and introduced lineages drive MERS-CoV recombination in Egyptian camels

This study highlights the importance of monitoring Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels, which are the main animal source of this virus that can occasionally infect humans. While most human cases have been linked to strains in the Arabian Peninsula, this research focused on Egypt, where the virus is less understood. Among surveyed dromedary camels and associated livestock, a significant number of camels at slaughterhouses were infected, and many had antibodies showing past exposure. Importantly, we discovered that a strain common in the Arabian Peninsula had recently entered Egypt and mixed genetically with local strains. This mixing, or recombination, can lead to new virus versions that may pose new risks to humans. The findings challenge the belief that MERS-CoV strains in different regions do not interact and highlight the need for stronger monitoring and prevention strategies. A One Health approach, linking animal, human, and environmental health, is key to managing future risks.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Virology
Published
2025-12-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00641-25
Citations
3
Primary Topic
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.19
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article

Local and introduced lineages drive MERS-CoV recombination in Egyptian camels

Dhanasekaran Vijaykrishna, Yassmin Moatasim, Kimberly M. Edwards, Mina Nabil Kamel et al.
3 citations
Journal of Virology
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
4.19
article

Local and introduced lineages drive MERS-CoV recombination in Egyptian camels

Dhanasekaran Vijaykrishna, Yassmin Moatasim, Kimberly M. Edwards, Mina Nabil Kamel, Rabeh El‐Shesheny, Ahmed El Taweel, Mokhtar R. Gomaa, Omnia Kutkat, Ghazi Kayali, H. El-Nagar, Ruixuan Wang, Mohamed A. Ali
article en
3 citations

Abstract

This study highlights the importance of monitoring Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels, which are the main animal source of this virus that can occasionally infect humans. While most human cases have been linked to strains in the Arabian Peninsula, this research focused on Egypt, where the virus is less understood. Among surveyed dromedary camels and associated livestock, a significant number of camels at slaughterhouses were infected, and many had antibodies showing past exposure. Importantly, we discovered that a strain common in the Arabian Peninsula had recently entered Egypt and mixed genetically with local strains. This mixing, or recombination, can lead to new virus versions that may pose new risks to humans. The findings challenge the belief that MERS-CoV strains in different regions do not interact and highlight the need for stronger monitoring and prevention strategies. A One Health approach, linking animal, human, and environmental health, is key to managing future risks.

Journal of VirologyVol. 99(12)
National Influenza Center (MN), National Research Centre (EG), Link Institut (Switzerland) (CH), HKU-Pasteur Research Pole (HK), Dubai Medical College (AE), Agricultural Research Center (EG), University of Hong Kong (HK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
4.19
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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