Features of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

In a 47-patient case series, disease occurred primarily in older men with medical comorbidities; the case-fatality rate was 60%.

All 90 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) reported as of July 21, 2013, have been linked directly or indirectly to the Middle East (predominantly Saudi Arabia). Researchers recently described 47 laboratory-confirmed cases (including 23 hospital-outbreak cases) reported between September 1, 2012, and June 15, 2013, in Saudi Arabia and compare these to historical cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Of the 47 patients, 46 were adults, 77% were male, and 62% were aged ≥50. All but two had medical comorbidities (e.g., diabetes in 68%, chronic renal disease in 49%, hypertension in 34%). The case-fatality rate was 39% in those aged <50 and 75% in those ≥60. The most common clinical findings were fever, fever with chills…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Features of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

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Reviewing Author