Methods for producing and using IgY antibodies targeting the middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein to treat or prevent MERS-CoV infection

A method of inhibiting or treating a Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of:

• a) injecting chicken hens with about 200 μg of a peptide at about days 0, 14, 28, and 49, wherein said peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;
• b) collecting eggs laid by the hens of step a) between seven to twelve weeks after the initial step of injecting;
• c) isolating IgY antibodies from the eggs of step b);
• d) preparing a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising the IgY antibodies of step c);
• and
• e) administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition of step d) to the subject in need thereof by a route of administration selected from the group consisting of intravenous injection, intravenous infusion, intraperitoneal injection, intraperitoneal infusion, intranasal and oral, wherein the therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to inhibit and/or treat said MERS-CoV infection.