Review on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

摘要

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by a newly recognized Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It is an RNA virus, with positive sense, single-stranded RNA genomes of 30.1 kilobase (kb). Based on its genome sequence, the virus has been classified within lineage 2C of the genus Betacoronavirus. The disease was first reported in 2012 and is now spreading to different parts of the world. Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are suggested to be the primary animal host that acts as a source of human infection by MERS-CoV. Most patients with MERS-CoV infection have been severely ill with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and some showed acute kidney injury. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for MERS-CoV infection other than supportive treatment. Collection of the specimens from lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract and serum for isolation and characterization of the virus using different techniques such as real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-rt PCR) and serological tests are recommended. Up to June 18, 2015, 498 of the 1327 cases have died with case fatality rate of ~38% [1]. This emerging infectious disease is a threat to human health. Proper infection-control measures including contact and airborne precautions should be implemented while managing patients with suspected MERS-CoV infection.