However, the mere presence of antibodies
that are cross-reactive to MERS-CoV without simultaneous
isolation or PCR detection of the
virus from camels in these studies could not
confirm their role as reservoirs or intermediate
hosts for transmitting the virus to humans. In a
recent study, the presence of MERS-CoV RNA
was confirmed on real-time RT-PCR assay and
partial genome sequencing of the viral RNA in
3 of 14 nasal samples collected from 14 camels
on a farm in Qatar and in 2 nasal swabs collected
from two patients on the same farm.15
However, conclusive evidence of transmission from
camels to humans or vice versa could not be
established