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.

Background: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging virus that infects humans and camels with no approved antiviral therapy or vaccine. Some vaccines are in development for camels as a one-health intervention where vaccinating camels is proposed to reduce human viral exposure. This intervention will require an understanding of the prior exposure of camels to the virus and appropriate vaccine efficacy studies in camels. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional seroprevalence study in young dromedary camels to determine the rate of MERS-CoV seropositivity in young camels. Next, we utilised naturally infected camels as a natural challenge model that can be used by co-housing these camels with healthy naive camels in a ratio of 1 to 2. This model is aimed to support studies on natural virus transmission as well as evaluating drug and vaccine efficacy. Results: We found that 90% of the screened camels have pre-existing antibodies for MERS-CoV. In addition, the challenge model resulted in MERS-CoV transmission within 48 h with infections that continued for 14 days post challenge. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that the majority of young dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia are seropositive and that naturally infected camels can serve as a challenge model to assess transmission, therapeutics, and vaccine efficacy.

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess the knowledge and attitude to dose and associated risks caused by Ionizing Radiation (IR) procedures among patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 375 consecutive patients, conducted over a period of 4 months from at the radiology unit of King Khalid Hospital in Najran for IR procedures using self-administered questionnaires that was developed and distributed with consents and instructions to the participants. Results: About three-quarter (60%) of the patients reported not being worried to undergo radiological tests. The same proportion of the patients also would not have radiological tests if they can tolerate the disease. About half (50%) of the respondents stated that they would not be satisfied if no further radiological tests were required and 52% did not think that radiological procedures can cause hazards and side effects to the body. Also, over half (53%) of the patients reported not knowing that radiological tests can cause cancer; 48% would not repeat the radiological tests within six months; and about 69% did not know the importance of Radiology for diagnosis. Conclusion: There is relatively low knowledge and awareness of the risks associated with Ionizing Radiation among patients in the study population. Therefore, there is a need for educating the public and not only medical personnel, about radiation exposure and associated risks.