Is Aerosol-Based Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Possible?

摘要

—We read the article by Memish et al with great interest [ ]. The authors concluded that there is no evidence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) nasal carriage among Hajj pilgrims. In previous studies, it was reported that MERS-CoV infection may be transmitted via respiratory droplets or direct and indirect contact [ , ]. However, there has been international concern in the medical community about pandemic risk due to aerosol transmission. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by Memish et al to screen for nasal carriage of MERS-CoV in a large group of Hajj pilgrims has been an important advance in the public health response to MERS-CoV. However, we have a few methodological concerns about their study.