SARS and MERS: recent insights into emerging coronaviruses

Emmie de Wit; Neeltje van Doremalen; Darryl Falzarano; Vincent J Munster

doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2016.81

SARS and MERS: recent insights into emerging coronaviruses

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2016 Aug;14(8):523-34. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.81. Epub 2016 Jun 27.

Authors

Emmie de Wit¹, Neeltje van Doremalen¹, Darryl Falzarano², Vincent J Munster¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Montana 59840, USA.
² Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization - International Vaccine Centre and Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E3, Canada.

Abstract

The emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 marked the second introduction of a highly pathogenic coronavirus into the human population in the twenty-first century. The continuing introductions of MERS-CoV from dromedary camels, the subsequent travel-related viral spread, the unprecedented nosocomial outbreaks and the high case-fatality rates highlight the need for prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Scientific advancements since the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pandemic allowed for rapid progress in our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of MERS-CoV and the development of therapeutics. In this Review, we detail our present understanding of the transmission and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and discuss the current state of development of measures to combat emerging coronaviruses.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Camelus / virology
Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control
Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology*
Coronavirus Infections / immunology
Coronavirus Infections / therapy
Coronavirus Infections / transmission
Coronavirus Infections / virology*
Cross Infection
Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
Humans
Immune Evasion
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / pathogenicity*
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / physiology
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / ultrastructure
Pandemics / prevention & control
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / transmission
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / virology*
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity*
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / physiology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / ultrastructure
Travel
Virus Replication