Abstract
Using three different assays, we examined 103 serum samples collected from different civet farms and a market in China in June 2003 and January 2004. While civets on farms were largely free from SARS-CoV infection, ≈80% of the animals from one animal market in Guangzhou contained significant levels of antibody to SARS-CoV, which suggests no widespread infection among civets resident on farms, and the infection of civets in the market might be associated with trading activities under the conditions of overcrowding and mixing of various animal species.
Highlights
Using three different assays, we examined 103 serum samples collected from different civet farms and a market in China in June 2003 and January 2004
While civet selection was derived from a convenience sample and limited because of time constraints imposed by the slaughter campaign, this study showed a marked difference in Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV antibody prevalence between animals from the market and those selected from the farms
Animals selected from one market in Guangzhou in January 2004 had a much higher prevalence of SARS-CoV antibodies than those selected from farms in the same period or from farms in two other provinces in June 2003
Summary
We examined 103 serum samples collected from different civet farms and a market in China in June 2003 and January 2004. To study the distribution of SARS-CoV and antibodies in these culled animals, intestine tissues and serum samples were taken from 56 animals: 38 civets from four farms in different regions of Guangdong Province (10 from Zhuhai, 10 from Shanwei, 9 from Shaoguan, and 9 from Qingyuan; Figure) and 18 civets from the Xinyuan Live Animal Market in Guangzhou.
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