A PhD thesis at the University of Basrah, Search in Identification of Molecular and Immunological Features of the Coronavirus.

The doctoral thesis at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah identified the molecular and immunological feature of the Beta Coronavirus in humans, camels, and cows.

The thesis, prepared by student Ibrahim Hassan Mazloum, aimed to analyse the beta coronavirus in humans, camels, and cows, and shade the light on the molecular and immunological aspects, through using variety of laboratory techniques to insight into the nature of the virus and their response of different hosts.

The thesis concluded that the molecular results showed a high genetic similarity between the human isolates and other global strains, indicating their close relationship with the strains of human origin. Meanwhile, the strains isolated from camels demonstrated a large similarity to known coronaviruses from the same animal, confirming that the virus having a high genetic stability. The bovine strains conspicuously showed genetic variations, and human samples demonstrated a strong inflammatory response which correlated with the severity of symptoms. Camels have more immunologically equilibrium, while cows were reported to be a significant increase in few immune indicators. Hence, camels and cows may represent potential sources of coronavirus transmission to humans, recalling for strengthen health surveillance program and preventive measures, especially in the region where the virus is endemic.

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