title: Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Healthcare Personnel.
abstract: Healthcare settings can amplify transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but knowledge gaps about the epidemiology of transmission remain. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among healthcare personnel in hospital units that treated MERS-CoV patients. Participants were interviewed about exposures to MERS-CoV patients, use of personal protective equipment, and signs and symptoms of illness after exposure. Infection status was determined by the presence of antibodies against MERS-CoV. To assess risk factors, we compared infected and uninfected participants. Healthcare personnel caring for MERS-CoV patients were at high risk for infection, but infection most often resulted in a relatively mild illness that might be unrecognized. In the healthcare personnel cohort reported here, infections occurred exclusively among those who had close contact with MERS-CoV patients.
authors: Basem M
authors: BM
authors: Alraddadi
authors: Hanadi S
authors: HS
authors: Al-Salmi
authors: Kara
authors: K
authors: Jacobs-Slifka
authors: Rachel B
authors: RB
authors: Slayton
authors: Concepcion F
authors: CF
authors: Estivariz
authors: Andrew I
authors: AI
authors: Geller
authors: Hanan H
authors: HH
authors: Al-Turkistani
authors: Sanaa S
authors: SS
authors: Al-Rehily
authors: Haleema A
authors: HA
authors: Alserehi
authors: Ghassan Y
authors: GY
authors: Wali
authors: Abeer N
authors: AN
authors: Alshukairi
authors: Esam I
authors: EI
authors: Azhar
authors: Lia
authors: L
authors: Haynes
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Swerdlow
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Jernigan
authors: Tariq A
authors: TA
authors: Madani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Risk factors; healthcare personnel; healthcare workers; occupational health; personal protective equipment; respiratory infections; viruses; zoonoses