📄 Replicative virus shedding in the respiratory tract of patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection

Background: Information on the duration of replicative Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) shedding is important for infection control. The detection of MERS-CoV sub-genomic mRNAs indicates that the virus is replicative. This study examined the duration for detecting MERS-CoV sub-genomic mRNA compared with genomic RNA in diverse respiratory specimens. Methods: Upper and lower respiratory samples were obtained from 17 MERS-CoV-infected patients. MERS-CoV sub-genomic mRNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and MERS-CoV genomic RNA by real-time RT-PCR. Results: In sputum and transtracheal aspirate, sub-genomic mRNA was detected for up to 4 weeks after symptoms developed, which correlated with the detection of genomic RNA. In oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens, the detection of sub-genomic mRNA and genomic RNA did not correlate. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MERS-CoV does not replicate well in the upper respiratory tract.

keywords 🔗 syndrome coronavirus (1074) 🔗 reverse transcription (205) 🔗 respiratory syndrome (2004) 🔗 respiratory tract (344) 🔗 findings suggest (77)

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