title: Characteristics and Outcomes of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing number of patients are being infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) since the first case was identified in September 2012. We report the characteristics and outcomes of MERS-CoV-confirmed patients who developed critical illness requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cohort study of all MERS-CoV-confirmed cases who were admitted to our ICU from March 20, 2014, till June 1, 2014. Presenting symptoms, comorbid conditions, and details of their ICU stay were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients were admitted to the ICU with MERS-CoV infection. All had signs of respiratory distress with 7 requiring mechanical ventilation. Three patients were health care workers. In all, 6 patients had comorbid conditions and 5 patients developed multiorgan system failure (MOSF). In all, 5 patients expired, 2 were discharged alive, and 1 remained intubated at the end of the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus carries a high mortality rate in patients who require ICU admission, with a significant number of patients developing MOSF. Further investigation is needed to determine optimal management guidelines for these patients.
authors: Department of Intensive Care, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC-WR), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia These authors contributed equally to the work and are co-authors.
authors: Fahad
authors: F
authors: Al-Hameed
authors: Department of Intensive Care, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC-WR), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia These authors contributed equally to the work and are co-authors. aliwahla@hotmail.com.
authors: Ali S
authors: AS
authors: Wahla
authors: Department of Intensive Care, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC-WR), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Shakeel
authors: S
authors: Siddiqui
authors: Department of Intensive Care, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC-WR), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Alaa
authors: A
authors: Ghabashi
authors: King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Al-Shomrani
authors: King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Abdulhakeem
authors: A
authors: Al-Thaqafi
authors: Department of Intensive Care, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC-WR), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Yasir
authors: Y
authors: Tashkandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; intensive care; respiratory failure