High MERS-CoV seropositivity associated with camel herd profile, husbandry practices and household socio-demographic characteristics in Northern Kenya

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Epidemiol Infect
• Personal Author:
  Ngere, I. ; Munyua, P. ; Harcourt, J. ; Hunsperger, E. ; Thornburg, N. ; Muturi, M. ; Osoro, E. ; Gachohi, J. ; Bodha, B. ; Okotu, B. ; Oyugi, J. ; Jaoko, W. ; Mwatondo, A. ; Njenga, K. ; Widdowson, M. A.
• Description:
  Despite high exposure to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the predictors for seropositivity in the context of husbandry practices for camels in Eastern Africa are not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to describe the camel herd profile and determine the factors associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity in Northern Kenya. We enrolled 29 camel-owning households and administered questionnaires to collect herd and household data. Serum samples collected from 493 randomly selected camels were tested for anti-MERS-CoV antibodies using a microneutralisation assay, and regression analysis used to correlate herd and household characteristics with camel seropositivity. Households reared camels (median = 23 camels and IQR 16-56), and at least one other livestock species in two distinct herds; a home herd kept near homesteads, and a range/fora herd that resided far from the homestead. The overall MERS-CoV IgG seropositivity was 76.3%, with no statistically significant difference between home and fora herds. Significant predictors for seropositivity (P ⩽ 0.05) included camels 6-10 years old (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2), herds with ⩾25 camels (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) and camels from Gabra community (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.2). These results suggest high levels of virus transmission among camels, with potential for human infection.
• Subjects:
  Adult Age Factors Animal Husbandry Animals Antibodies, Neutralizing Antibodies, Viral Camelus Coronavirus Infections Cross-Sectional Studies Educational Status Family Characteristics Female Humans Male Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Regression Analysis Seroepidemiologic Studies Socioeconomic Factors Surveys And Questionnaires Transients And Migrants Zoonoses

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• Source:
  Epidemiol Infect. 2020; 148
• Pubmed ID:
  33256863
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC7737118
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  U01 GH002143/GH/CGH CDC HHS/United States
• Place as Subject:
  Kenya
• Volume:
  148
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:cd90ddf74472bb3785e3f2a54161a57fb2c2f3c0eaaa9b9f344ffcbd1b675b8a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/100851/cdc_100851_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 265.41 KB ]