TY - JOUR
T1 - Colostrum from MERS-CoV seropositive camels for MERS prophylaxis and SARS-CoV-2 infection, a placebo controlled randomized trial
AU - Masika, Hagit
AU - Cherniak, Meir
AU - Britan-Rosich, Yelena
AU - Oster, Yonatan
AU - Grupel, Daniel
AU - Nama, Ahmad
AU - Nissan, Batel
AU - Planer, David
AU - Strahilevitz, Jacob
AU - Israeli, Eitan
AU - Kumari, Sujata
AU - Mor, Orna
AU - Kirillov, Saveliy
AU - Alter, Joel
AU - Dessau, Moshe
AU - Fahoum, Jamal
AU - Cohen-Kfir, Einav
AU - Golan, Matan
AU - Wiener, Reuven
AU - David, Dan
AU - Amer, Reaan
AU - Rouvinski, Alexander
AU - Elinav, Hila
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - COVID-19 pandemic is currently relatively controlled, mainly due to effective vaccines. Preparedness for future outbreaks should include means for reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses like MERS-CoV. Approximately 72% of camels in Israel are seropositive for MERS-CoV and may exhibit cross-reactivity with serologically related SARS-CoV-2, suggesting therapeutic possibilities. Aims:To investigate the potential of camel-derived anti-MERS-CoV antibodies from camels colostrum for mucosal use in humans, as MERS-CoV prophylaxis and to control COVID-19 progression and infectivity. Methods:Using ELISA assay, we screened serum and colostrum of MERS-CoV seropositive camels for MERS-CoV antibody titers and neutralization potency and for cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2 spike. Next, we performed an open label placebo controlled randomized trial, comparing the effect of mucosal application of colostrum to placebo. Infectivity and viral load levels were evaluated daily up to 96 h. Results:Anti-MERS-CoV spike reactive antibodies with partial SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactivity were detected in 22 serum and 12 colostrum samples. While SARS-CoV-2 cross-neutralization was detected, its potency was significantly weaker than that of MERS-CoV. Neutralization of spike pseudotyped reporter viruses representing MERS-CoV reached ~ 1:500, while neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and variants was only at (NT50) ≤ 1:120. Forty-three COVID-19 patients were recruited to the randomized controlled trial. The primary endpoints did not differ between groups, with comparable decline in viral load (p = 0.311) and infectivity (p = 0.9641) after 24-h. Conclusions:In-vitro, camel colostrum-derived antibodies neutralize MERS-CoV, but a thin colostrum preparation did not reduce infectivity or viral load in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. The role of camel colostrum-derived antibody-concentrate and more viscous preparations merit further evaluation as potential prophylaxis and treatment against MERS-CoV.
AB - COVID-19 pandemic is currently relatively controlled, mainly due to effective vaccines. Preparedness for future outbreaks should include means for reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses like MERS-CoV. Approximately 72% of camels in Israel are seropositive for MERS-CoV and may exhibit cross-reactivity with serologically related SARS-CoV-2, suggesting therapeutic possibilities. Aims:To investigate the potential of camel-derived anti-MERS-CoV antibodies from camels colostrum for mucosal use in humans, as MERS-CoV prophylaxis and to control COVID-19 progression and infectivity. Methods:Using ELISA assay, we screened serum and colostrum of MERS-CoV seropositive camels for MERS-CoV antibody titers and neutralization potency and for cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2 spike. Next, we performed an open label placebo controlled randomized trial, comparing the effect of mucosal application of colostrum to placebo. Infectivity and viral load levels were evaluated daily up to 96 h. Results:Anti-MERS-CoV spike reactive antibodies with partial SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactivity were detected in 22 serum and 12 colostrum samples. While SARS-CoV-2 cross-neutralization was detected, its potency was significantly weaker than that of MERS-CoV. Neutralization of spike pseudotyped reporter viruses representing MERS-CoV reached ~ 1:500, while neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and variants was only at (NT50) ≤ 1:120. Forty-three COVID-19 patients were recruited to the randomized controlled trial. The primary endpoints did not differ between groups, with comparable decline in viral load (p = 0.311) and infectivity (p = 0.9641) after 24-h. Conclusions:In-vitro, camel colostrum-derived antibodies neutralize MERS-CoV, but a thin colostrum preparation did not reduce infectivity or viral load in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. The role of camel colostrum-derived antibody-concentrate and more viscous preparations merit further evaluation as potential prophylaxis and treatment against MERS-CoV.
KW - Colostrum
KW - Cross-reactivity
KW - Infectivity
KW - MERS-CoV
KW - Neutralizing antibodies
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Viral load
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105022780404
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-025-26000-5
DO - 10.1038/s41598-025-26000-5
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C2 - 41274935
AN - SCOPUS:105022780404
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 15
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
IS - 1
M1 - 42007
ER -