Domestic Pig Unlikely Reservoir for MERS-CoV

Abstract

We tested the suitability of the domestic pig as a model for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Inoculation did not cause disease, but a low level of virus replication, shedding, and seroconversion were observed. Pigs do not recapitulate human MERS-CoV and are unlikely to constitute a reservoir in nature.

Keywords

• Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
• MERS-CoV
• animal models
• domestic pig
• dipeptidyl peptidase 4
• DPP4