Perspective
Prevalence of comorbidities in the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV): a systematic review and meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2016.06.015Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • This is a study on the prevalence of chronic diseases in 637 severe Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases.

  • Diabetes and hypertension are equally prevalent in approximately 50% of the severe cases.

  • Cardiac diseases and obesity are present in 30% and 16% of the cases, respectively.

  • Chronic diseases, in addition to MERS-CoV, further impair the host's innate immunity.

  • Public health vaccination for MERS-CoV should target subjects with chronic disorders.

Summary

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is associated with life-threatening severe illnesses and a mortality rate of approximately 35%, particularly in patients with underlying comorbidities. A systematic analysis of 637 MERS-CoV cases suggests that diabetes and hypertension are equally prevalent in approximately 50% of the patients. Cardiac diseases are present in 30% and obesity in 16% of the cases. These conditions down-regulate the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and impair the host's innate and humoral immune systems. In conclusion, protection against MERS-CoV and other respiratory infections can be improved if public health vaccination strategies are tailored to target persons with chronic disorders.

Keywords

Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular diseases
Obesity
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Systematic review

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