Browsing by Author "Zumla, Alimuddin"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Emerging viral respiratory tract infections—environmental risk factors and transmission
    (Elsevier, 2014-11) Gautret, Philippe; Gray, Gregory C.; Charrel, Remi N.; Odezulu, Nnanyelugo G.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Zumla, Alimuddin; Memish, Ziad A.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    The past decade has seen the emergence of several novel viruses that cause respiratory tract infections in human beings, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia, an H7N9 influenza A virus in eastern China, a swine-like influenza H3N2 variant virus in the USA, and a human adenovirus 14p1 also in the USA. MERS-CoV and H7N9 viruses are still a major worldwide public health concern. The pathogenesis and mode of transmission of MERS-CoV and H7N9 influenza A virus are poorly understood, making it more difficult to implement intervention and preventive measures. A united and coordinated global response is needed to tackle emerging viruses that can cause fatal respiratory tract infections and to fill major gaps in the understanding of the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of these viruses.
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    Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
    (Thieme, 2021) Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Azhar, Esam I.; Memish, Ziad A.; Zumla, Alimuddin; Medicine, School of Medicine
    The past two decades have witnessed the emergence of three zoonotic coronaviruses which have jumped species to cause lethal disease in humans: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2. MERS-CoV emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and the origins of MERS-CoV are not fully understood. Genomic analysis indicates it originated in bats and transmitted to camels. Human-to-human transmission occurs in varying frequency, being highest in healthcare environment and to a lesser degree in the community and among family members. Several nosocomial outbreaks of human-to-human transmission have occurred, the largest in Riyadh and Jeddah in 2014 and South Korea in 2015. MERS-CoV remains a high-threat pathogen identified by World Health Organization as a priority pathogen because it causes severe disease that has a high mortality rate, epidemic potential, and no medical countermeasures. MERS-CoV has been identified in dromedaries in several countries in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. MERS-CoV-2 causes a wide range of clinical presentations, although the respiratory system is predominantly affected. There are no specific antiviral treatments, although recent trials indicate that combination antivirals may be useful in severely ill patients. Diagnosing MERS-CoV early and implementation infection control measures are critical to preventing hospital-associated outbreaks. Preventing MERS relies on avoiding unpasteurized or uncooked animal products, practicing safe hygiene habits in health care settings and around dromedaries, community education and awareness training for health workers, as well as implementing effective control measures. Effective vaccines for MERS-COV are urgently needed but still under development.
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    Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus – The need for global proactive surveillance, sequencing and modeling
    (Elsevier, 2021) Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Petersen, Eskild; Memish, Ziad A.; Perlman, Stanley; Zumla, Alimuddin; Medicine, School of Medicine
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    Re-infection with different SARS-CoV-2 clade and prolonged viral shedding in a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: SARS-CoV-2 Re-infection with different clade
    (Elsevier, 2021-07-18) Alshukairi, Abeer N.; El-Kafrawy, Sherif A.; Dada, Ashraf; Yasir, Mohamed; Yamani, Amani H.; Saeedi, Mohammed F.; Aljohaney, Ahmed; AlJohani, Naif I.; Bahaudden, Husam A.; Alam, Intikhab; Gojobori, Takashi; Radovanovic, Aleksandar; Alandijany, Thamir A.; Othman, Norah A.; Alsubhi, Tagreed L.; Hassan, Ahmed M.; Tolah, Ahmed M.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Zumla, Alimuddin; Azhar, Esam I.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Immunocompromised patients who have SARS-CoV-2 infection pose many clinical and public health challenges. We describe a patient with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and lymphoma with protracted illness requiring 3 consecutive hospital admissions. Whole genome sequencing confirmed two different SARS-CoV-2 clades. Clinical management issues, and unanswered questions arising are discussed.
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    Therapeutic Options for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – possible lessons from a systematic review of SARS-CoV therapy
    (Elsevier, 2013-08-29) Momattin, Hisham; Mohammed, Khurram; Zumla, Alimuddin; Memish, Ziad A.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine
    The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been detected in a number of countries in the Middle East and Europe with an apparently high mortality rate. It is phylogenetically related to the SARS coronavirus and has also been associated with severe respiratory illness as well as nosocomial transmission in healthcare settings. Current international recommendations do not support any specific therapies; however, there are a number of agents, which were used during the SARS epidemic of 2003. It is possible that these might be active against the related MERS coronavirus. We have reviewed the literature on the safety and efficacy of therapies used in patients with SARS with a view to their potential use in patients with MERS-CoV infections.