10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Characterization of Aerosolized Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in African Green Monkey Model
Allison Totura, Virginia Livingston, Ondraya Frick, David Dyer, AYSEGUL NALCA, USAMRIID
Abstract Number: 1697 Working Group: Infectious Bioaerosol
Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first identified as a cause of a lethal respiratory disease outbreak in Saudi Arabia in 2012. MERS-CoV has caused isolated outbreaks in Saudi Arabia since 2012 with 483 deaths (40% mortality rate). On May 20, 2015, the first case outside of Saudi Arabia was reported in South Korea and resulted in a major outbreak with 179 confirmed cases and 29 fatalities. Although it is thought that animals, especially camels and bats, are the most likely reservoirs of MERS-CoV in nature, the exact routes of transmission and the role of these animals in transmission are still unknown. Clinical signs of disease in humans range from asymptomatic to severe acute respiratory syndrome and death. Typically fever, cough and shortness of breath are observed in patients, but pneumonia is not always present. Gastrointestinal abnormities, such as diarrhea, and acute renal failure have also been observed in these patients. Although there are several animal models developed by using different routes of infection, there is not any animal model that truly emulates the human disease. In this study, twelve African green monkeys (AGMs) exposed to high, mid and low target doses of aerosolized MERS-CoV. Disease progression was followed with daily observations, weights, body temperatures, blood and throat swab collections. Data indicated that disease severity was dose dependent and all the AGMs survived the disease.