Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): A Perpetual Challenge

Hajjar, Sami Al; Memish, Ziad A.; McIntosh, Kenneth

doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2013.427

Cited by 95 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…To the Editor, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is one of the new problematic emerging respiratory viral infection originated from the Middle East [1][2][3]. This disease becomes a new concern on its possible worldwide pandemic.…”

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confidence: 97%

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Magnitude to thrombocytopenia among the patients with novel Middle East respiratory syndrome

Joob

Wiwanitkit

2014

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confidence: 97%

“…This disease becomes a new concern on its possible worldwide pandemic. Generally, the patient has acute febrile illness with respiratory symptoms [1][2][3]. Pneumonia is common and the fatality is high [1][2][3].…”

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confidence: 99%

Magnitude to thrombocytopenia among the patients with novel Middle East respiratory syndrome

Joob

Wiwanitkit

2014

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“…20,67 In humans, MERS-CoV is 1 of 6 coronaviruses that cause respiratory disease; however, it is currently the only known pathogenic human lineage C betacoronavirus. 31,68 MERS-CoV infections in humans range from asymptomatic to progressive fatal pneumonia with occasional renal or multiorgan failure. 44,52 To date, published autopsy data from fatal human cases are not available, and the exact route of viral transmission to and among humans is unknown.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Comparative Review of Animal Models of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

2016

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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was initially isolated from a Saudi Arabian man with fatal pneumonia. Since the original case in 2012, MERS-CoV infections have been reported in >1500 humans, and the case fatality rate is currently 35%. This lineage C betacoronavirus has been reported to cause a wide range of disease severity in humans, ranging from asymptomatic to progressive fatal pneumonia that may be accompanied by renal or multiorgan failure. Although the clinical presentation of human MERS-CoV infection has been documented, many facets of this emerging disease are still unknown and could be studied with animal models. Several animal models of MERS-CoV have been developed, including New Zealand white rabbits, transduced or transgenic mice that express human dipeptidyl peptidase 4, rhesus macaques, and common marmosets. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on human MERS-CoV infections, the probable origin of MERS-CoV, and the available animal models of MERS-CoV infection. Evaluation of the benefits and limitations of these models will aid in appropriate model selection for studying viral pathogenesis and transmission, as well as for testing vaccines and antivirals against MERS-CoV.Keywords animal models, common marmosets, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, mice, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, pathogenicity, rabbits, respiratory system, review, rhesus macaques, transgenic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first isolated from a man in Saudi Arabia in 2012, and MERS-CoV infections have now been reported in >20 countries. 76,79 Originally called human coronavirus-EMC/2012, the virus was renamed MERS-CoV by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. 20,67 In humans, MERS-CoV is 1 of 6 coronaviruses that cause respiratory disease; however, it is currently the only known pathogenic human lineage C betacoronavirus. 31,68 MERS-CoV infections in humans range from asymptomatic to progressive fatal pneumonia with occasional renal or multiorgan failure. 44,52 To date, published autopsy data from fatal human cases are not available, and the exact route of viral transmission to and among humans is unknown. Additionally, there are currently no approved MERS-CoV-specific countermeasures. Thus, development of animal models to study the pathology and pathogenesis of MERS-CoV, the routes of viral transmission, and the efficacy of treatments and vaccines is critical. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on MERS-CoV infections in humans and potential animal reservoirs for the virus and provide an overview and analysis of animal models of MERS-CoV infection.

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“…Corona viruses are mostly zoonotic viruses and human corona strains usually cause mild respiratory and gastrointestinal syndromes and rarely lead to severe disease [1,2]. In the last decade two important corona viruses, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), crossed animal to human barrier and emerged to become major human pathogens [3][4][5][6][7].…”

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confidence: 99%