title: [Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of Middle East respiratory syndrome].
abstract: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) has raised global public health concerns. The recent outbreak of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection has led to 1 338 laboratory-confirmed cases in 26 countries worldwide as reported till 19 June, 2015. MERS-CoV may be considered a zoonotic virus that has crossed the species barrier to humans, but the pathogenesis and the routes of transmission are not completely understood. Most MERS-CoV cases reported thus far have a history of residence in or travel to the Middle East. Human-to-human transmission though was observed on some occasions in Korea, it is documented as non-sustainable event. The envelope spike glycoprotein on the surface of MERS-CoV which mediates receptor binding, membrane fusion and viral entry is thought to be involved in the mechanism of MERS-CoV.No specific and effective treatment for MERS-CoV is currently recommended, although supportive treatment has played an important role. Prophylactic strategies are necessary to prevent MERS-CoV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou 310013 China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Journal of Zhejiang University (Medical Sciences), Hangzhou 310007 China.
authors.forename: Shao-hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / Q000378:metabolism; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus