From 2 children with nonfatal illness, we collected blood, serum, conjunctival swabs, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
CoV sequences were amplified from rectal swab samples or fecal pellets and from roost feces but not from serum, throat swab samples, or urine.
Inoculum consisting of serum, nasal swab samples, and homogenized tissues was adsorbed at 37 °C for one hour.
Serum and swab samples were stored at −80°C until tested.
For confirmation of viral etiological CSF, serum, throat swab, and stool samples were tested.
All 190 serum and swab samples were negative for MERS CoV S-specific neutralizing antibody, ELISA antibody, and MERS-CoV RNA.
Acute-phase (<8 days after illness onset) CSF, serum, rectal swab, and nasopharyngeal specimens were collected if the ordered by the patients' physicians.
The study showed death rates of 33% (Fr2000) and 100% (Is98) from the 2 strains, and viral RNA loads in serum, oral swab samples, and feathers of Is98-infected birds were higher than those of Fr2000-infected birds (29 ).
From March 2007 through March 2008, a total of 8,993 serum and swab samples were collected from 6,705 clinically healthy ducks and 2,288 chickens during 670 farm visits (at 2 farm visits, all birds had been sold).
Prechallenge serum and swab samples were negative for avian influenza antibodies and virus (data not shown), strongly suggesting the lack of prior exposure to influenza A virus (Table 3).
