Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Difference between revisions

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3 "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)." <i>WHO</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2015. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/mers-cov/en/>
3 "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)." <i>WHO</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2015. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/mers-cov/en/>
4 Lu, Guangwen, et al. "Molecular Basis Of Binding Between Novel Human Coronavirus MERS-Cov And Its Receptor CD26." Nature 500.7461 (2013): 227-231. Academic Search Elite. Web. 25 July 2015. <http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ou.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6237c9b9-e0bf-4e3e-93ab-af58ed5b76b5%40sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4204>


Created by Hae Cha, students of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma. <p>
Created by Hae Cha, students of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma. <p>

Revision as of 13:21, 25 July 2015

This is a curated page. Report corrections to Microbewiki.
University of Oklahoma Study Abroad Microbiology in Arezzo, Italy[1]
MERS-CoV. From dohanews: [2]

Etiology/Bacteriology

Taxonomy

Scientific name: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Common name: MERS-CoV

Viruses; | Group = ssRNA positive-strand viruses | Order = Nidovirales | Family = Coronaviridae | Subfamily = Coronavirinae | Genus = Betacoronavirus | Species = unclassified Betacoronavirus

NCBI: [3] Genome: [4]

Description

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infects the respiratory system, causing the severe acute illness Middle East respiratory syndrome also known as MERS. MERS is second to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) as a highly pathogenic coronavirus. [4] It was first identified in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia in 2012 and soon afterward seen in other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In other cases, it has been observed in countries including France, Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and the United States. All confirmed cases are linked to the Arabian Peninsula. Coronaviruses are characterized by their crown-like, coronal glycoprotein spikes on their surface. They have enveloped virions that measure approximately 120nm in diameter with a nucleocapsid made up of viral nucleic acids and are helical in shape. The genome consists of a single strand of RNA. [1]


representing the second example of a highly pathogenic coronavirus, the first being SARS-CoV3

Pathogenesis

Transmission

MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. Though not fully known, the virus is believed to have originated in bats that were then transmitted to camels. Transmission to humans has been linked to camels as the major animal source. Strains of MERS-CoV found in humans have been matched with strains found from camels from the Middle East. The virus appears to not easily pass from human to human but is seen more frequently when there is close contact such as in a hospital setting. The virus is spread from humans to humans by respiratory secretions such as coughing or drinking after the infected. [2]

The virus mainly circulates throughout the Arabian Peninsula where >85% of the cases have been reported. However, there have been several reports outside of the Middle East, where travelers have contracted the infection during their visit to the Middle East and then brought back to their home country.

Currently, the outbreak in Republic of Korea in 2015 has been the largest outbreak outside of the Middle East. [3]

Infectious Dose, Incubation, Colonization

Epidemiology

Virulence Factors

Clinical features

Symptoms

Persons who have contracted MERS-CoV can be asymptomatic or have mild respiratory symptoms. Many times, patients show severe acute respiratory symptoms that can lead to death. Typically, these patients show symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath as well as diarrhea and vomiting.

Severe illness can lead to respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation. More severe complications have been seen to result in pneumonia and kidney failure. The virus seems to cause more severe disease and higher risk of death with those who are older or have an already weakened immune system though persons of all ages can become infected. [3]

Morbidity and Mortality

Diagnosis

Prevention and Treatment

Currently, there are no vaccines for prevention or specific antiviral treatments for cures. However, individuals with MERS-CoV infection can seek medical attention to relieve symptoms and receive support for boosted organ functions. The CDC recommends avoiding personal contact and frequent hand washing in order to prevent respiratory illnesses.[2] Also for precaution, persons should avoid contact with camels especially when traveling to the Middle East. [3]

Host Immune Response

The incubation period for MERS is usually about 5 or 6 days but can range from 2-14 days depending on the case. [2]

References

1 "MERS." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 22 Jul. 2015. <http://academic.eb.com/EBchecked/topic/1949834/MERS>

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) <http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html>

3 "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2015. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/mers-cov/en/>

4 Lu, Guangwen, et al. "Molecular Basis Of Binding Between Novel Human Coronavirus MERS-Cov And Its Receptor CD26." Nature 500.7461 (2013): 227-231. Academic Search Elite. Web. 25 July 2015. <http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ou.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6237c9b9-e0bf-4e3e-93ab-af58ed5b76b5%40sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4204>


Created by Hae Cha, students of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma.