Articles tagged with Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has certified its first class of critical care advanced practice providers with the CCAPP designation. This achievement recognizes their dedication to high-quality patient care and their role in supporting multidisciplinary critical care teams. The CCAPP certification is designed to vali...
Public Health Alerts provide concise, data-driven information on disease outbreaks and urgent health events. The new series, launched by NEJM Evidence and CIDRAP, offers expert-reviewed reports to support public health evidence-based care.
Researchers have developed a research pipeline to create 'universal vaccines' that can address broad viral families and mutated variants. The vaccine design aims to neutralize emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other viruses with pandemic potential.
A new study from the University of Kansas has identified a small protein domain called Mac1 as a critical target for inhibiting coronavirus replication. The research team developed molecules that bind to Mac1 and inhibit viral activity in cell cultures, providing potential antiviral therapies for future pandemics.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has launched a critical care APP education and certification program, covering 11 topic areas including patient-centered care and pharmacology. The CCAPP Certification Exam is now available, with an August 5 deadline to apply for the 2025 exam.
Researchers discovered a novel coronavirus in bats in Brazil with similarities to the Middle East respiratory syndrome virus. The five bats belonged to two species and showed significant genetic diversity, prompting experiments to determine whether it can infect humans.
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme that counteracts the innate defense mechanism against viruses, allowing it to evade the innate immune system and become more infectious. Understanding this mechanism may lead to the development of new antiviral drugs and treatments.
A phase Ib clinical trial has shown that the MVA-MERS-S vaccine candidate is safe and effective in healthy individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine was tested in a placebo-controlled study with no serious vaccine-related side effects, indicating promising results.
Researchers found that repeat COVID-19 vaccinations elicit cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies capable of targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and distantly related coronaviruses. The findings suggest periodic re-vaccination may help build a stock of protective antibodies against emerging variants.
New research reveals that bat virus relatives of MERS-CoV efficiently bind to bat ACE2 receptors as an entry point into cells. However, these viruses only weakly bind to human ACE2 cell receptors and are not known to cause disease outbreaks in people.
Researchers have identified a tailor-made pocket feature in the spike glycoproteins of deadly coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS, and Omicron. This finding could lead to the development of a pan-coronavirus treatment that exploits this pocket feature to stop virus infectivity.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered how SARS and MERS coronaviruses block the induction of antiviral proteins, preventing a strong immune response. This finding has potential implications for developing new therapeutic options to treat COVID-19 and future deadly coronaviruses.
Dr. Edward Y. Lee, MD, MPH, receives the highest distinction from North America's first radiological society for his contributions to pediatric thoracic imaging and education. The ARRS Gold Medal honors his tireless efforts to advance radiology globally.
A team of scientists has identified a compound that shows promise in easing COVID-19 symptoms by targeting the cellular quality-control system damaged by coronaviruses. The compound, AMG PERK 44, was found to halt virus replication and boost lung function in mice infected with MERS.
A study by Northwestern University scientists has shown that coronavirus vaccines and prior infections can provide broad immunity against other, similar coronaviruses. The findings build a rationale for universal coronavirus vaccines.
Dr. Christopher Basler received two NIH grants totaling $816,534 to study Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2. The research aims to understand how these viruses interact with the body's immune response and identify potential new strategies for treating infection.
Researchers found that COVID-19 symptoms progress from fever, cough, and muscle pain to nausea and vomiting before potentially leading to diarrhea. This knowledge can help doctors diagnose patients earlier and reduce hospitalization time.
A comprehensive review of 172 studies found that physical distancing of at least 1 meter reduces COVID-19 transmission risk, while face coverings and eye protection may provide additional benefits. However, no intervention offers complete protection, emphasizing the need for combined measures.
Coronavirus infections can cause delirium in hospitalized patients, which increases the risk of death or extended hospital stay. Long-term effects may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue.
A study of over 3,550 patients with severe coronavirus infections suggests that most people will not suffer from mental health problems following infection. However, delirium and potential long-term mental health effects such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and PTSD may occur in some cases.
A University of Saskatchewan research team has discovered that bat cells can persistently infect with MERS coronavirus for months due to adaptations from both the bat and virus. This unique 'super' immune system in bats allows coronaviruses to remain long-term without causing harm, suggesting stresses on bats may contribute to species ...
A recent trial of a MERS coronavirus vaccine candidate has shown promising results, with the vaccine inducing antibody and T cell responses in nearly all trial subjects. The findings have implications for the development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, with plans to conduct further trials.
Researchers develop vaccine candidate using RNA virus to produce S protein, triggering immune responses against coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2. The approach effectively blocks MERS virus infections in mice, suggesting potential for COVID-19 prevention.
Researchers have successfully developed a MERS vaccine that fully protects mice against the deadly virus, and it may hold promise for developing vaccines against COVID-19. The vaccine uses a harmless virus to deliver a MERS coronavirus protein into cells, generating an immune response.
Experts from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest integrating travel history into routine medical assessments to identify emerging infectious diseases and prevent further transmission. This simple yet targeted approach can help put infectious symptoms in context for physicians and caregiver teams.
COVID-19 imaging features exhibit variable and nonspecific characteristics, but also share similarities with those of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Initial chest imaging abnormalities are common, affecting at least 85% of patients, often displaying bilateral lung involvement.
Researchers found remdesivir works by mimicking natural building blocks for RNA synthesis, preventing viral replication. The study provides important insight into the mechanism of action of the drug and its potential effectiveness against COVID-19.
Researchers discovered autophagy as a potential target in the fight against MERS, and found that licensed drugs like niclosamide can drastically reduce viral replication by inhibiting autophagic degradation. The study provides promising insights for developing new substances to combat MERS.
A Phase 1 clinical trial found a MERS-CoV vaccine candidate to be well-tolerated and induce robust immune responses in healthy adult volunteers. Over 85% of participants exhibited detectable immune responses after just two vaccinations, with the response persisting throughout the study.
A potent and safe vaccine protects against MERS, a viral infection with a 35% mortality rate in 27 countries. The new vaccine platform targets specific cells without causing lung damage, offering a promising strategy for enhancing vaccine safety and potency.
A research team identified molecular and genetic mechanisms allowing bats to host multiple viral pathogens without suffering diseases. Bats have a unique ability to limit inflammation, which may be key to their long lifespans and virus reservoir status.
Researchers discovered that a neutralizing antibody from SARS survivors can activate coronavirus membrane fusion by mimicking receptor-attachment. This breakthrough provides new insights into understanding the mechanisms of coronavirus infection and potentially lead to vaccine design.
Researchers at German Primate Center found that MERS virus mutations make it more resistant to the human immune system. This could lead to a rise in severe cases and potentially trigger a pandemic.
An experimental MERS treatment developed from cattle plasma is safe and well-tolerated in a small clinical trial. The treatment, SAB-301, has been successfully tested in mice and shows potential for rapid production of human antibodies against other human pathogens.
Human antibodies manufactured from transchromosomic cattle have been found safe in healthy volunteers, suggesting a potential novel technique for rapidly producing antibodies for passive immunotherapy against emerging infectious diseases like MERS. The treatment, SAB-301, was well-tolerated and showed promise in countering the virus.
A new antiviral drug candidate, GS-5734, has been shown to inhibit a broad range of coronaviruses, including the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. The compound was effective against human and animal coronaviruses, reducing viral load in lung tissue and improving respiratory functions.
A study in 20 countries found that bats harbor over 3,200 coronaviruses, most of which have yet to be detected. The viruses are concentrated in areas with high bat diversity, suggesting coevolution or adaptation.
Researchers developed custom-engineered protein destroying MERS virus in cultured human cells within 24 hours. Synthetic ubiquitin variants also target Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, showing promise for future anti-viral medicine.
A novel coronavirus found in a Ugandan bat is 87% identical to the one causing MERS, but lacks key proteins allowing it to infect humans. Researchers say the virus is unlikely to spread to humans, despite its similarities.
Researchers identified a novel coronavirus in a Ugandan bat that is 87% identical to MERS-CoV and 91% identical to NeoCoV. However, the virus has significant differences in its spike gene, making it unlikely to spread to humans.
A modified rabies virus expressing a protein from the MERS virus protects mice against both diseases. The dual compound could lead to an effective human vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and prevent its spread in camels.
Researchers have found that common cold coronaviruses originate from camels, similar to the MERS virus. The study suggests a potential scenario for MERS emergence and highlights the need for a vaccine against MERS.
A study mapped the transmission of MERS virus in a South Korean hospital, identifying an 'super-spreader' patient linked to 82 cases. The outbreak highlights the risks of overcrowding and super-spreaders in healthcare settings.
Critically ill MERS patients exhibit more severe disease and higher mortality than non-MERS patients with SARI. The study, conducted at 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia, highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools to combat this deadly virus.
A new study suggests that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) develops mutations that make the virus less virulent during an outbreak, challenging current vaccine strategies. The study found two specific point mutations in the viral spike protein that impaired fitness and virulence.
Researchers at University of Maryland School Medicine have developed a new treatment for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that uses genetically modified cows to produce anti-MERS antibodies. The treatment has shown promising results in mouse models, with the potential to be effective in humans.
A Phase 1 clinical trial began at WRAIR to evaluate the safety and immune response of a vaccine candidate for MERS, a severe respiratory disease with a high fatality rate. The vaccine is being co-developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science Inc., and will be administered to 75 participants.
The article presents findings from the first reported autopsy of a patient with MERS coronavirus infection, revealing diffuse damage to lungs and identification of anti-MERS-CoV antibodies in specific cells. These results contradict previous assumptions and suggest that lung targeting is crucial for infectious control strategies.
Researchers developed a vaccine effective in protecting dromedaries against MERS-CoV, reducing nasal excretion and transmission. Vaccination may also protect humans at high risk of infection, but further studies are needed to determine duration of protection.
Recent studies identified five distinct lineages of MERS-CoV in camels, with low barrier for interspecies transmission. A vaccine was found to be effective in preventing clinical symptoms and reducing virus levels in vaccinated camels.
Research reveals three coronavirus species co-existing in camels in Saudi Arabia, including one closely related to the human 229E virus. The study also finds that young camels are more susceptible to respiratory infections and that winter is the peak season for virus replication.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine candidate that significantly reduces the virus load in infected camels, offering a promising method to prevent human infections. The vaccine also provides dual activity, protecting camels from another disease similar to smallpox.
Research from University of Southampton found that copper can rapidly destroy human coronavirus 229E on common surface materials for at least five days. Copper alloy surfaces may help control transmission of respiratory viruses, especially when used in conjunction with effective cleaning regimes and good clinical practice.
A new study found that nearly half of camels in parts of Kenya have been infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. The research suggests camels may be a major reservoir host for the virus and a potential source of infection in humans.
Recent developments in surveillance technology could enable a swifter response to potentially deadly outbreaks of disease. A team of infectious disease experts found that shortcomings in the global response to Ebola highlight the need for state-of-the-art techniques to detect and monitor outbreaks.
Researchers developed a method to estimate real-time death risk during outbreaks, revealing that older patients and those with pre-existing illnesses had significantly higher mortality rates. The study applied this method to the 2015 Korean MERS epidemic, showing an estimated 20% overall mortality rate.
A new synthetic DNA vaccine has been developed to induce protective immunity against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in animals. The vaccine, administered six weeks prior to exposure, was found to fully protect rhesus macaques from disease and generate potentially protective antibodies in camels.
A two-step regimen of experimental vaccines against Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) prompted immune responses in mice and rhesus macaques, producing broadly neutralizing antibodies against multiple strains of the MERS coronavirus. Vaccinated macaques were protected from severe lung damage when later exposed to MERS-CoV.
The article highlights Stanley Perlman's career journey from studying mouse viruses to researching human coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. His work demonstrates the importance of basic research in understanding virus interactions with the immune system, which can inform strategies for preventing or treating diseases.