tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Int J Infect Dis
. 2023 Mar 28;S1201-9712(23)00125-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.03.046. Online ahead of print.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - a ten-year (2012-2022) global analysis of human and camel infections, genomic sequences, lineages, and geographical origins
Esam I Azhar[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thirumalaisamy P Velavan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ikrormi Rungsung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tieble Traore[SUP] 4 [/SUP], David S Hui[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Brian McCloskey[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sherif A El-Kafrawy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Alimuddin Zumla[SUP] 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The WHO priority zoonotic pathogen MERS-CoV has a high case fatality rate in humans and circulates in camels worldwide.
Methods: We performed a global analysis of human and camel MERS-CoV infections, epidemiology, genomic sequences, clades, lineages and geographical origins for the period January 1st, 2012, to August 3rd, 2022. MERS-CoV 'S'-gene sequences (4061bp) were extracted from Genebanks, and a phylogenetic maximum likelihood tree constructed.
Findings: As of August 2022, 2591 human MERS cases from 26 countries were reported to the WHO (Saudi Arabia, 2184 cases, including 813 deaths (CFR:37.2%) Whilst declining in numbers, MERS cases continue to be reported from the Middle East. 728 MERS-CoV genomes identified (the largest number were from Saudi Arabia:222:human=146, camels=76) and UAE(176:human=21,camels=155). 501 'S'-gene sequences were used for phylogenetic tree construction [camels(n=264), humans(n=226), bats(n=8), other(n=3)]. Three MERS-CoV Clades were identified: the largest, Clade B, followed by clade A and clade C. Of 462 Clade B lineages, lineage 5 was predominant,(n=177).
Interpretation: MERS-CoV remains a threat to global health security. MERS-CoV variants continue circulating in humans and camels. Recombination rates indicate co-infections with different MERS-CoV lineages. Proactive surveillance of MERS-CoV infections and variants of concern in camels and humans worldwide is essential for epidemic preparedness.
. 2023 Mar 28;S1201-9712(23)00125-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.03.046. Online ahead of print.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - a ten-year (2012-2022) global analysis of human and camel infections, genomic sequences, lineages, and geographical origins
Esam I Azhar[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thirumalaisamy P Velavan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ikrormi Rungsung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tieble Traore[SUP] 4 [/SUP], David S Hui[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Brian McCloskey[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sherif A El-Kafrawy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Alimuddin Zumla[SUP] 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36996998
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.03.046
Abstract
Background: The WHO priority zoonotic pathogen MERS-CoV has a high case fatality rate in humans and circulates in camels worldwide.
Methods: We performed a global analysis of human and camel MERS-CoV infections, epidemiology, genomic sequences, clades, lineages and geographical origins for the period January 1st, 2012, to August 3rd, 2022. MERS-CoV 'S'-gene sequences (4061bp) were extracted from Genebanks, and a phylogenetic maximum likelihood tree constructed.
Findings: As of August 2022, 2591 human MERS cases from 26 countries were reported to the WHO (Saudi Arabia, 2184 cases, including 813 deaths (CFR:37.2%) Whilst declining in numbers, MERS cases continue to be reported from the Middle East. 728 MERS-CoV genomes identified (the largest number were from Saudi Arabia:222:human=146, camels=76) and UAE(176:human=21,camels=155). 501 'S'-gene sequences were used for phylogenetic tree construction [camels(n=264), humans(n=226), bats(n=8), other(n=3)]. Three MERS-CoV Clades were identified: the largest, Clade B, followed by clade A and clade C. Of 462 Clade B lineages, lineage 5 was predominant,(n=177).
Interpretation: MERS-CoV remains a threat to global health security. MERS-CoV variants continue circulating in humans and camels. Recombination rates indicate co-infections with different MERS-CoV lineages. Proactive surveillance of MERS-CoV infections and variants of concern in camels and humans worldwide is essential for epidemic preparedness.