Development and validation of a rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus antigen in dromedary camels

J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Apr;53(4):1178-82. doi: 10.1128/JCM.03096-14. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Abstract

We present here a rapid immunochromatographic assay for the detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) antigen in the nasal swabs of dromedary camels. The assay is based on the detection of MERS-CoV nucleocapsid protein in a short time frame using highly selective monoclonal antibodies at room temperature. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the assay were found to be 93.90% and 100%, respectively, compared to that of the UpE and open reading frame 1A (Orf1A) real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The results suggest that the assay developed here is a useful tool for the rapid diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis*
  • Camelus / virology*
  • Chromatography, Affinity / methods*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Nasal Cavity / virology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Virology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral