Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) announced on Monday the discovery of one of the key ways the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) changes and adapts between patients, allowing for even more research on the complex condition.
MERS-CoV is a deadly disease that was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012, affecting many people across the globe since. MERS-CoV is an RNA virus similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
The breakthrough was achieved by utilizing ultra-deep sequencing and polymerase chain reaction tests that LLNL researchers obtained from nasal samples of three camels infected with the MERS virus.
One of the more significant findings was the while only five mutations were observed in the virus’ genome sequence, approximately 500 genetic variants were identified within the samples.
Monica Borucki, an LLNL virologist and lead author of the paper where the findings were originally published, said that the discovery is an important step in understanding how the condition is able to adapt to different factors so quickly.
“There’s still an incredible amount of work to be done,” Borucki said. “MERS is something that needs to be monitored carefully. It should not be ignored.”