Transmissibility of MERS-CoV Infection in Closed Setting, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2015.

Transmissibility of MERS-CoV Infection in Closed Setting, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Oct 17;25(10): Authors: Van Kerkhove MD, Aswad S, Assiri A, Perera RAPM, Peiris M, El Bushra HE, Abdulaziz A. BinSaeed Abstract To investigate a cluster of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cases in a women-only dormitory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2015, we collected epidemiologic information, nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab samples, and blood samples from 828 residents during November 2015 and December 2015-January 2016. We found confirmed infection for 19 (8 by reverse transcription PCR and 11 by serologic testing). Infection attack rates varied (2.7%-32.3%) by dormitory building. No deaths occurred. Independent risk factors for infection were direct contact with a confirmed case-patient and sharing a room with a confirmed case-patient; a protective factor was having an air conditioner in the bedroom. For 9 women from whom a second serum sample was collected, antibodies remained detectable at titers >1:20 by pseudoparticle neutralization tests (n = 8) and 90% plaque-reduction neutralization tests (n = 2). In closed high-contact settings, MERS coronavirus was highly infectious and pathogenicity was relatively low. PMID: 31423971 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Emerg Infect Dis Source Type: research