Molecular Detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus from Dromedary Camels Illegally Transferred to Iran

After the identification of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus from camels in Saudi Arabia by 2012, it has been believed that camel is a primary reservoir of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and viral transmission from camel to human could occur. The current study is the initial announcement on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus detection from camels in Iran. Middle East respiratory syndrome genome was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in samples taken from camels that illegally entered Iran. The presence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus was investigated in nasal and rectal swab samples by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using primers specific for upE and ORF 1a genes. Positive samples were then subjected to ORF 1a and N gene-distinct polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The acquired sequences were applied for phylogenetic analysis in comparison with sequences of related regional human cases and non-regional camel isolates. Nasal swabs from 3 out of 18 camels showed positive results in both real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. The nucleotide sequencing revealed that N and ORF 1a fragments of the studied viruses had a high level of similarity to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronaviruses isolated from camels in African countries, Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, and to those isolated from a person in Iran. The current study is the primary report on the characterization of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus from Iranian camels.