Is the discovery of the novel human betacoronavirus 2c EMC/2012 (HCoV-EMC) the beginning of another SARS-like pandemic?

Abstract

Fouchier et al. reported the isolation and genome sequencing of a novel coronavirus tentatively named "human betacoronavirus 2c EMC/2012 (HCoV-EMC)" from a Saudi patient presenting with pneumonia and renal failure in June 2012. Genome sequencing showed that this virus belongs to the group C species of the genus betacoronavirus and phylogenetically related to the bat coronaviruses HKU4 and HKU5 previously found in lesser bamboo bat and Japanese Pipistrelle bat of Hong Kong respectively. Another patient from Qatar with similar clinical presentation and positive RT-PCR test was reported in September 2012. We compare and contrast the clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis and management of infection due to this novel coronavirus and that of SARS coronavirus despite the paucity of published information on the former. Since 70% of all emerging infectious pathogens came from animals, the emergence of this novel virus may represent another instance of interspecies jumping of betacoronavirus from animals to human similar to the group A coronavirus OC43 possibly from a bovine source in the 1890s and the group B SARS coronavirus in 2003 from bat to civet and human. Despite the apparently low transmissibility of the virus at this stage, research preparedness against another SARS-like pandemic is an important precautionary strategy.

Inhibitor Recognition Specificity of MERS-CoV Papain-like Protease May Differ from That of SARS-CoV

“…Two bat CoVs from lineage group C, BtCoV-HKU4 and BtCoV-HKU5, are the most closely related to the MERS-CoV. 2, 7–9 MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are highly pathogenic, with evidence of person-to-person transmission via either household or hospital contacts. 10, 11 MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV use different receptors, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4 or CD26) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), respectively, 12, 13 and the epidemiology of MERS-CoV is still being investigated.…”

“…Both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV exhibit as a severe respiratory infection, while MERS-CoV exhibits an additional unique symptom of renal failure. 2 Even though the MERS-CoV transmission rate is slower than that of SARS-CoV, the number of MERS-CoV infections continues to grow. 11, 14, 15 Due to the recent emergence of this new coronavirus and the potential of SARS-CoV retransmission from zoonotic reservoirs to humans, 16–18 the possibility of another deadly pandemic has been seriously raised.…”

Seroepidemiological study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus infection in Iraqi dromedary camels

“…they consist of single-stranded positive-sense, nonsegmented genomes (ChaN et al, 2012). Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MerS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus which emerged (ZakI et al, 2012) link to the Middle East, with confirmed cases in Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi arabia, Qatar, United arab emirates and Yemen.…”

Novel Middle East respiratory syndrome and renal failure

“…1 Focusing on atypical clinical presentations of novel Middle East respiratory syndrome, the renal failure is an important presentation. 1,3 In almost all death cases, acute renal failure can be identified. 1,3,4 Focusing on the course, the patients usually starts with acute febrile illness with rapid progression to severe respiratory distress syndrome then acute renal failure occurs on top.…”

“…1,3,4 Focusing on the course, the patients usually starts with acute febrile illness with rapid progression to severe respiratory distress syndrome then acute renal failure occurs on top. 1,3,4 This nature is a significant difference from the already known SARS, of which, no predominant renal failure can be observed. The underlying cause of acute renal failure in novel Middle East respiratory syndrome is still the myth.…”