Ph.D. Dissertation at the University of Basrah Investigates Molecular and Immunological Aspects of Beta-Coronavirus
A Ph.D. dissertation at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, explored the molecular and immunological aspects of Beta-coronavirus in humans, camels, and cattle.
The dissertation, presented by doctoral student Ibrahim Hassan Mathloom, aimed to analyze Beta-coronavirus infections in humans, camels, and cattle, with a focus on molecular and immunological characteristics using various techniques to understand the virus’s nature and the host responses.
The study concluded that, at the molecular level, there was a high genetic similarity between human isolates and globally known strains, suggesting a close relation to human-origin coronaviruses. Camel-derived strains showed strong similarity to other known camel coronaviruses, confirming the virus’s high genetic stability. In contrast, bovine strains demonstrated notable genetic divergence.
On the immunological front, human samples showed a strong inflammatory response associated with severe symptoms, whereas camels exhibited a more balanced immune reaction. Cattle samples revealed elevated levels of certain immune markers.
These findings suggest that camels and cattle could serve as potential reservoirs for coronavirus transmission to humans, emphasizing the need to strengthen health surveillance programs and preventive measures, particularly in regions with endemic virus circulation.
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