SARS and MERS – a Comparison of the New Corona Viruses

This compilation is from many sources and necessarily incomplete as we still have lots to learn about MERS. Please come back periodically for updated information.SARS+MERS

Status: 7/8/2014

Some tidbits of unknown significance:

  • A close relative of MERS-CoV is carried by the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).  As many children have hedgehogs as pets in Germany and elsewhere without getting sick, this corona virus seems rather benign for humans.
  • HCoV also have neuroinvasive and immunostimulatory properties.  Some SARS related proteins stimulate local interferon and cytokine production.
  • Cyclophilin inhibitors like cyclosporine may have antiviral activity against HCoV like they have against HIV and HCV.

References:
For genome structure, Coleman has a great comparative schematic [1],
Virology Tidbids has good information as well.[2].

[1] Coleman.  Journal of Virology; 88: 5209; 2014
[2] http://virologytidbits.blogspot.com/2014/04/sars-cov-v-mers-cov-differences-and.html
[3] ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme
[4] Adedeji. Current Opinion in Virology 8: 45; 2014

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *