Tracing the Transmission and Evolution of the MERS-CoV

Phylogenetic analyses of sequences from 21 cases and 9 published genomes suggest a geographically dispersed zoonotic reservoir.

Infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continues to occur in persons in or linked to the Middle East, but questions persist about the evolution, spread, and origin of the virus.

Using full-genome deep sequencing on nucleic acid extracted from 21 clinical specimens obtained from patients in Saudi Arabia with polymerase chain reaction–confirmed MERS-CoV infection, researchers obtained 13 complete genomes and had ≥32% coverage on the other 8. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the sequences from these 21 cases and 9 published MERS-CoV genomes.

The researchers found three distinct MERS-CoV genotypes in Riyadh, with at least two of them circulating in October 2012. The phylogenetic clustering of many isolat…

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

Tracing the Transmission and Evolution of the MERS-CoV

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Reviewing Author