Ahmad Tavakoli - Department of Virology, Faculty of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya - Department of Virology, Faculty of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Keshavarz - Department of Virology, Faculty of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fahimeh Safarnezhad Tameshke - Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center (GILDRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Hamidreza Monavari - Department of Virology, Faculty of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) as a causative agent of severe lower respiratory tract infection in humans, considered as a global threat, especially against to Persian Gulf countries. Since its discovery in ۲۰۱۲, MERS-CoV has spread ۲۷ countries affecting about ۱۸۰۰ people and caused more than ۶۰۰ deaths in worldwide. In comparison to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS-CoV appears to have a higher mortality rate (۴۰% versus ۱۰%) and is particularly more severe in patients with underlying medical conditions. Until now, the most MERS-CoV cases (more than ۸۵ percent) have had a history of travel or residence in the Middle East countries. A possible intermediate host for MERS-CoV is camel. Clinical manifestations of MERS range from mild or asymptomatic disease to acute respiratory syndrome and multi-organ failure resulting in death, mostly in individuals with preexisting medical co-morbidities. There is no specific antiviral treatment for MERS and infection prevention and control practices are necessary to prevent spread of MERS-CoV in health care facilities. In present study, we have briefly outlined the recent information about the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of MERS-CoV.

Middle East respiratory syndrome, MERS-CoV, Acute respiratory illness, SARS, کوروناویروس سندروم تنفسی خاورمیانه, کوروناویروس مرس, بیماری تنفسی حاد, سارس