Background: An outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Jordan in 2015 involved a variant virus that acquired distinctive deletions in the accessory open reading frames. We conducted a molecular and seroepidemiologic investigation to describe the deletion variant's transmission patterns and epidemiology.
Methods: We reviewed epidemiologic and medical chart data and analyzed viral genome sequences from respiratory specimens of MERS-CoV cases. In early 2016, sera and standardized interviews were obtained from MERS-CoV cases and their contacts. Sera were evaluated by nucleocapsid and spike protein enzyme immunoassays and microneutralization.
Results: Among 16 cases, 11 (69%) had health care exposure and 5 (31%) were relatives of a known case; 13 (81%) were symptomatic, and 7 (44%) died. Genome sequencing of MERS-CoV from 13 cases revealed 3 transmissible deletions associated with clinical illness during the outbreak. Deletion variant sequences were epidemiologically clustered and linked to a common transmission chain. Interviews and sera were collected from 2 surviving cases, 23 household contacts, and 278 health care contacts; 1 (50%) case, 2 (9%) household contacts, and 3 (1%) health care contacts tested seropositive.
Conclusions: The MERS-CoV deletion variants retained human-to-human transmissibility and caused clinical illness in infected persons despite accumulated mutations. Serology suggested limited transmission beyond that detected during the initial outbreak investigation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofy095 | DOI Listing |
Mil Med Res
December 2024
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
Sepsis, characterized as life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated host responses to infection, remains a significant challenge in clinical practice. Despite advancements in understanding host-bacterial interactions, molecular responses, and therapeutic approaches, the mortality rate associated with sepsis has consistently ranged between 10 and 16%. This elevated mortality highlights critical gaps in our comprehension of sepsis etiology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFR Soc Open Sci
November 2024
The Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research, School of Life Sciences and Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
In this study, we investigate the impact of demographic characteristics on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases in Saudi Arabia, specifically focusing on the time intervals between symptom onset and key events such as hospitalization, case confirmation, reporting and death. We estimate these intervals using data from 2196 cases occurring between June 2012 and January 2020, partitioning the data into four age groups (0-24 years, 25-49 years, 50-74 years and 75-100 years). The duration from symptom onset to hospitalization varies between age cohorts, ranging from 4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Res Microb Sci
October 2024
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001 Enugu State, Nigeria.
Notably, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have all had significant negative impact on global health and economy. COVID-19 alone, has resulted to millions of deaths with new cases and mortality still being reported in its various waves. The development and use of vaccines have not stopped the transmission of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19, even among vaccinated individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Mol Life Sci
October 2024
Viral Immunology Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
August 2024
University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kigali, Rwanda.
Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral illness caused by the MERS-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Saudi Arabia has reported most global MERS-CoV cases and deaths, with periodic outbreaks in other countries.
Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the 2023 MERS-CoV outbreak in Saudi Arabia, including its epidemiology, public health response, impact, and lessons learned.
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