Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus "MERS-CoV": current knowledge gaps

G R Banik; G Khandaker; H Rashid

doi:10.1016/j.prrv.2015.04.002

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus "MERS-CoV": current knowledge gaps

Paediatr Respir Rev. 2015 Jun;16(3):197-202. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 Apr 18.

Authors

G R Banik¹, G Khandaker², H Rashid³

Affiliations

¹ National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia; University of Technology Sydney, School of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: GouriRani.Banik@student.uts.edu.au.
² National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Perinatal Infection Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that causes a severe lower respiratory tract infection in humans is now considered a pandemic threat to the Gulf region. Since its discovery in 2012, MERS-CoV has reached 23 countries affecting about 1100 people, including a dozen children, and claiming over 400 lives. Compared to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS-CoV appears to kill more people (40% versus 10%), more quickly, and is especially more severe in those with pre-existing medical conditions. Most MERS-CoV cases (>85%) reported thus far have a history of residence in, or travel to the Middle East. The current epidemiology is characterised by slow and sustained transmission with occasional sparks. The dromedary camel is the intermediate host of MERS-CoV, but the transmission cycle is not fully understood. In this current review, we have briefly summarised the latest information on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of MERS-CoV especially highlighting the knowledge gaps in its transmission dynamics, diagnosis and preventive strategy.

Keywords: Dromedary; MERS-CoV; Middle East; Respiratory tract infection; SARS; Transmission chain.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
Coronavirus Infections / therapy
Coronavirus Infections / virology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus*
Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
Respiratory Tract Diseases / therapy
Respiratory Tract Diseases / virology*
Travel