Genetics and epidemiology of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Background and aims: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus. After the primary onset of MERS in Saudi Arabia, in September 2015 cases began to increase. The number of laboratory-affirmed cases by MERS-CoV in the Middle East has been being increased recently. Methods: In this current review article, by using the terms “MERS” and “coronavirus” we first searched for English language articles in the PubMed database, published in last five years. Then by a detailed review of related articles, we provided a comprehensive information about epidemiology, genetic, host and coronavirus treatment. Results: More importantly, evidences of human-to-human transmission in Europe and America indicate that the viral adaptations in humans may precede a large-scale epidemic. The genome of Coronaviruses is a linear positive-sense single stranded large RNA and they are enveloped viruses that have a helical symmetric nucleocapsid. Some new insights have been provided in previous few months in to the animal Coronavirus hosts, transmissibility, contagion of MERS Co-V and ideal laboratory diagnostic methods. Conclusion: It seems crucial to control this new human infection “MERS-CoV” by collaborating global and local health authorities and their continual support for further research on it.