article · Scientific Reports
Testing of a single intramuscular dose of ChAdOx1 MERS, an adenoviral vectored vaccine candidate expressing the MERS-CoV spike protein, demonstrated efficacy and immunogenicity in dromedary camels. Vaccinated camels, both previously unexposed and seropositive, were housed alongside naturally infected camels to evaluate protection. Over a two-week monitoring period, the vaccine significantly reduced both nasal discharge and viral shedding compared to controls. In camels with existing antibodies, the vaccine boosted humoral responses, though these animals were generally older. Among seronegative camels, older individuals mounted stronger immune responses than younger counterparts, and neutralising antibodies were successfully detected in nasal swabs. Despite these positive outcomes, the findings indicate that further work remains necessary to optimise vaccination schedules specifically for younger seronegative animals.
MERS-CoV circulation in dromedary camels poses an ongoing transmission risk. Demonstrating that a single-dose vectored vaccine reduces both nasal discharge and viral shedding in camels provides an experimental basis for controlling viral spread within livestock populations. Protecting reservoir animals is a critical step in managing respiratory viral threats at the animal level.
This work supports the development of veterinary vaccines against MERS-CoV for livestock producers, camel owners, and animal health agencies. The research represents applied, in vivo testing under natural exposure conditions. It is at an intermediate developmental stage, as full commercial application will depend on optimising dosing regimens for younger animals and completing formal field and regulatory evaluations.
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MERS-CoV seronegative and seropositive camels received a single intramuscular dose of ChAdOx1 MERS, a replication-deficient adenoviral vectored vaccine expressing MERS-CoV spike protein, with further groups receiving control vaccinations. Infectious camels with active naturally acquired MERS-CoV infection, were co-housed with the vaccinated camels at a ratio of 1:2 (infected:vaccinated); nasal discharge and virus titres were monitored for 14 days. Overall, the vaccination reduced virus shedding and nasal discharge (p = 0.0059 and p = 0.0274, respectively). Antibody responses in seropositive camels were enhancedby the vaccine; these camels had a higher average age than seronegative. Older seronegative camels responded more strongly to vaccination than younger animals; and neutralising antibodies were detected in nasal swabs. Further work is required to optimise vaccine regimens for younger seronegative camels.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52730-4
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