New research on the novel Coronavirus, MERS-CoV, has enabled scientists to discern the differences between the virus responsible for the new outbreak, and named MERS, and the old coronavirus which caused the epidemic 9 years ago, called SARS.
The new Coronavirus has been determined so far to have a 60% death rate. However, contagion between humans seems to be very low and its true source has not yet been established. If there are below threshold cases, or healthy carriers, the numbers are not known.
The examination of one of the victims of the novel virus, showed that the highest viral load was in the lower respiratory tract, but it was also present in the urine and stool samples of the patient.
What that shows, is that the virus is able to replicate itself in the kidneys, aside from its more obvious ability to colonize the deep tissue of the lungs.
However, the old SARS showed that the viral load was much higher in the stool sample, whereas in the MERS it is not.
Understanding how new coronavirus behaves vis a vis the old one, will help scientists to identify strategies to combat the spread of infection.
It also shows that there is a distinct difference between SARS and MERS, so that the knowledge of the former does not necessarily apply to the latter.
Unfortunately only five genome sequences have been received, since Saudi Arabia has not forwarded all its samples to international authorities, chiefly the World Health Organization.
Source : MNT/ 6.16.13
No comments:
Post a Comment