ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract In this study, the phenotypic consequences of naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Spike protein were investigated. The impact of Spike mutations on the syncytia formation and neutralisation of contemporary MERS-CoV strains is not currently well understood. Mutations were identified by aligning 584 MERS-CoV Spike sequences from either human clinical isolates collected between 2012 and 2024 or from a clinical isolate that had been passaged in human cells . Fifteen SNPs of interest occurring in the N-terminal domain (NTD), receptor binding domain (RBD) and adjacent to the S1/S2 cleavage site were selected for further characterisation based on their location in the Spike protein, frequency and identification in previous studies. A contemporary clade B, lineage 5 wildtype Spike sequence , obtained from a human MERS-CoV clinical isolate , was used as the backbone in this study . The mutations...

  Highlights •  MERS-CoV remains an endemic camel-associated betacoronavirus with ongoing zoonotic spillover. •  Viral evolution shows three major clades with lineage B predominance and documented recombination. •  DPP4-mediated entry, immune suppression , and T-cell apoptosis drive severe disease and high fatality. •  Diagnosis relies primarily on rRT-PCR , while treatments and vaccines remain experimental. •  Strengthened One-Health surveillance , IPC, and genomic monitoring are essential for pandemic preparedness. Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic beta coronavirus identified in 2012 that circulates in dromedary camels and occasionally infects humans. Although community spread is limited , the disease shows a high case fatality rate near 36 percent and has caused hospital outbreaks such as the 2015 South Korea event . The viral spike binds the DPP4 (CD26) receptor, enabling entry into airway epithelial and sele...

  Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is assessed to have high pandemic risk , and dromedary camels are the source of zoonotic spillover . More than 75% of MERS-CoV–infected dromedary camels are found in Africa , but no zoonotic disease has been reported from Africa where there is little awareness of MERS-CoV as a potential cause of respiratory disease . Antibody responses are a poor indicator of mild infection . We found that 47 of 60 (78%) dromedary camel abattoir workers in Kano, Nigeria, had MERS-CoV–specific T-cell responses while none of 18 controls did, suggesting that zoonotic infection is common in camel-exposed individuals in Africa. Source:  Link:  https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiag095/8504072?redirectedFrom=fulltext ____

  Highlights •  MERS-CoV structural proteins and ORFs potently induce T cell responses in mice •  MERS-CoV-specific T cell epitope repertoires are identified in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice •  Airway ORF4b208-CD4+ and ORF5167-CD8+ T cells are optimal effector T cells •  ORF4b208 and ORF5167-specific T cells protect mice against MERS-CoV infection Summary Since its initial emergence in 2012, MERS-CoV has remained endemic and a global health threat . While accessory proteins (ORFs) are known for immune evasion , their role in adaptive immunity is unexplored. This study systematically investigated T cell responses against MERS-CoV ORFs. We mapped epitope repertoires targeting structural proteins and ORFs in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice , revealing that ORFs potently induced virus-specific T cells . Notably, ORF5 induced the dominant CD8+ T cell responses in BALB/c mice. Further analysis revealed that ORF4b208-specific CD4+ and ORF5167-specific CD8+ T cells in the respiratory...

  Significance Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains the most lethal human coronavirus , with continued zoonotic transmission from wild naturally infected dromedary camels , posing a persistent risk of spillover to humans. Despite this ongoing threat , no specific antiviral treatment has been approved. In this study, we characterize the antibody response to MERS-CoV in naturally infected dromedaries, the primary animal reservoir, and identify a panel of nanobodies (Nbs) exhibiting potent neutralizing activity . These Nbs recognize a previously unreported binding and neutralizing site on the virus spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). Their distinctive genetic, structural, and functional properties make them promising candidates for the development of effective and therapeutic interventions against MERS-CoV, as strongly advocated by global health authorities. Abstract Wild dromedary camels in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa have harbored antibodies against ...

  Highlights •  74% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in African dromedaries •  Highest MERS-CoV RNA incidence (15.3%) observed in juvenile dromedaries •  2.4% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in camel -exposed humans •  African MERS-CoV clade C exhibits unique polymorphisms •  Clade-specific features might explain low MERS-CoV infection rates in Africa Abstract Objective We explored factors contributing to the low human MERS-CoV prevalence in Africa by assessing MERS-CoV epidemiological and genomic features. Methods We followed the PRISMA guidelines. We searched for articles on epidemiological and virological MERS-CoV characteristics in humans and camels in Africa until August 2025. We used a generalised linear mixed-effects model to calculate pooled proportions. We identified relevant polymorphisms in African MERS-CoV lineages compared with the prototypic EMC/2012 and contemporary Arabian MERS-CoV (clade B5). Results We included 53 articles, with 31 used in th...

  Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified as a human pathogen in 2012 and causes ongoing sporadic infections and outbreak clusters . Despite case fatality rates (CFRs) of over 30% and considerable pandemic potential , a safe and efficacious vaccine has not been developed. Here we report the design, characterization, and preclinical evaluation of MERS-CoV antigens . Our lead candidate comprises a stabilized spike displayed on a self-assembling ferritin nanoparticle that can be produced from a high-expressing, stable cell pool . This vaccine elicits robust MERS-CoV pseudovirus and authentic virus neutralizing antibody titers in BALB/c mice. Immunization of male non-human primates (NHPs) with one dose of Alhydrogel-adjuvanted vaccine elicited a > 103 geometric mean titer of pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies that was boosted with a second dose. Sera from these NHPs exhibited cross-reactivity against spike-pseudotyped lentiviruses from MERS-C...

  Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging coronavirus that can cause zoonotic disease in humans with lethal severe viral pneumonia . Dromedary camels are the source of zoonotic infection. As of November 2025, MERS-CoV has resulted in a total of 2630 reported cases, 37% of these being fatal . The number of reported human cases has been on a decreasing trend since 2016 and reached a nadir during the COVID-19 pandemic . The reason for the reduction of cases is unclear and may be multifactorial. We hypothesized that mutations accumulating in the virus spike protein may have reduced zoonotic potential . Here, we investigate the impact of recently emerged virus spike-protein mutations on virus replication competence using pseudoviruses and replication-competent recombinant viruses. We found that virus spike variants detected in 2019 and some from 2023 show a reduced cell entry, lower viral replication and reduced fitness in human primary alveolar e...

  Abstract Since its emergence in 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has posed a significant threat to human health . Recently, novel MERS-like coronaviruses with the potential for cross-species transmission have been identified. In this study, we focused on two newly isolated bat strains with putative health concern: BatCoV/Ii/GD/2014-422 (2014-422) and BtTp-BetaCoV/GX2012 (GX2012). We determined the cryo-EM structures of the spike glycoprotein trimer in the closed state for these two viruses. These structures display a more compact conformation compared to MERS-CoV spike . Biochemical characterization demonstrates that the spike receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of 2014-422 and GX2012 can bind to human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4). To investigate the structural determinants of pseudovirus infection, we solved the cryo-EM structures of 2014-422 RBD-hDPP4 and GX2012 RBD-hDPP4 complexes. The binding mode of the complex is conserved, but the angle of the RB...

  Abstract SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 have posed tremendous threats to human health, highlighting the necessity of monitoring cross-species transmission of animal coronaviruses to humans. Hedgehogs infected with coronaviruses have been reported in several countries across Europe and Asia, raising concerns about the potential transmission of coronaviruses from hedgehogs to humans. In this study, we investigated coronavirus infections in hedgehogs inhabiting greenspaces in metropolitan Beijing and identified a Merbecovirus subgenus coronavirus with a prevalence rate of 30% (95% CI: 25–35%) among 317 hedgehogs . Phylogenetic analysis of 23 complete viral genome sequences revealed a monophyletic origin , showing close relatedness to Erinaceus hedgehog coronavirus HKU31 (Ea-HedCoV HKU31) with genome-wide nucleotide identities of 93.24–96.42%, and evidence of recombination with Tylonycteris bat coronavirus HKU4 . These findings suggest that the increase in wildlife populations as...

  Situation at a glance Since the beginning of 2025 and as of 21 December 2025, a total of 19 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS- CoV), including four deaths have been reported to WHO globally.  Of the 19 cases, 17 were reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and two were reported from France .  Between 4 June and 21 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of KSA reported a total of seven cases of MERS-CoV infection, including two deaths .  In addition , at the beginning of December 2025, the National IHR Focal Point (IHR NFP) for France also reported two MERS-CoV travel – associated cases ; involving individuals with recent travel to countries in the Arabian Peninsula.  The notification of these latest cases does not change the overall risk assessment , which remains moderate at both the global and regional levels .  These cases show that the virus continues to pose a threat in countries where it is circulating in dromed...

  Abstract The MERS-COV virus is a zoonotic coronavirus that emerged in 2012 in KSA and caused viral illness with a case fatality rate up to 35 %. Over a decade later, the virus is still evolving and circulating . The aim of this review is to discuss the current epidemiology of MERS-COV both in humans and animals, during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. We have found that MERS-COV is still evolving in camels with new lineages being detected in Saudi Arabia . Although the number of human cases has decreased , there is a gradual resurgence in the number of cases. Furthermore, many cases are being reported without exposure to camels and/or raw products, nor contact with known human cases . This necessitates global efforts in the surveillance of asymptomatic carriers in the community, role of unknown animal reservoirs in the virus spread if any, as well as extensive genomic surveillance of the virus. This is in order to unveil and assess the genetic changes that the virus is undergoing ...

  ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a highly lethal respiratory infection for which no vaccines or antiviral therapeutics are currently available . Understanding the immune response is critical for designing effective therapeutics . Here, we comprehensively characterized the dynamics of B-cell responses in severely infected MERS-CoV patients and survivors with SARS-CoV-2 exposure history . Infected patients developed robust neutralizing antibody responses within 1 month of illness , with moderate-to-high cross-neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 . The enhanced neutralization activity coincided with an increased abundance of specific mutated, class-switched IgG clones. Notably, one such clone was detected at moderate prevalence in both patients, and its expansion was accompanied by high neutralization activity against both viruses . Conversely, MERS-CoV survivors demonstrated higher neutralization activity against MERS-CoV after vaccinati...

  ABSTRACT Dromedary camels are the primary reservoir for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a zoonotic coronavirus responsible for sporadic human infections . While clade B predominates in the Arabian Peninsula and is frequently linked to zoonotic outbreaks and household secondary transmission , clade C circulates primarily in African camels , with limited evidence of human infections . The extent of MERS-CoV transmission, genetic diversity, and cross-species potential in North Africa remains poorly characterized. Here, we investigate MERS-CoV incidence, seroprevalence, and genomic recombination in dromedary camels and sympatric livestock across slaughterhouses and farms in Egypt . MERS-CoV was detected in 12% of camels sampled at slaughterhouses , with no evidence of infection in cattle, buffalo, sheep, or goats . Seroprevalence was higher in slaughtered camels (79%) than camels on farms (12%). Phylogenetic analyses of MERS-CoV genomes obtained from dromedar...

{Automatic translation} The Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities and Public Health France have been informed of two cases of MERS-CoV in France .  These two cases were confirmed following suggestive symptoms and a history of shared travel to the Arabian Peninsula .  Management measures have been implemented to limit the risk of virus transmission. Stéphanie Rist, Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, confirms: “These patients are being monitored in hospital as a precautionary measure and their condition is stable . All management measures have been put in place to limit the risk of transmission of the virus to the patients' contacts and healthcare staff: contact tracing to offer them follow-up, barrier gestures, testing, isolation and procedures to follow in case of the appearance of symptoms, even mild ones.” These two cases occurred in individuals who had participated in the same trip , but no secondary transmis...

{Summary} Context   Over five years since the detection of the first COVID-19 cases , SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate globally, causing acute illness, hospitalization, and death , alongside prolonged negative impacts on individuals, health systems , and economies , including post-COVID-19 condition (PCC or Long COVID).  While global population-level immunity has increased significantly through both infection and vaccination, the virus continues to evolve, challenging control efforts and underscoring the need for long-term, sustainable disease management .  Confirming earlier warnings from MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1 , SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated the pandemic potential of coronaviruses , which remain one of the most consequential infectious disease threats of our time .  Purpose of the strategic plan   This plan sets out WHO’s strategic framework to support Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats , includ...