ABSTRACT
Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV], is an emerging virus respiratory infection. It has a high mortality rate and a wide spectrum of clinical features. This study describes the clinical characteristics and outcome of MERS infected patients
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of all confirmed MERS-CoV infections from March 2014 to May 2014 at two tertiary care hospitals in Al-Madinah region [Saudi Arabia]. We gathered data about demographic, clinical presentation, and factors associated with severity and mortality
Results: A total of 29 cases were identified; 20 males [69%] and nine females [31%], age 45 +/- 12 years. The death rate was higher for men [52%] than for women [23%]. Initial presentation was fever in 22 [75%] cases, cough in 20 [69%] cases, and shortness of breath in 20 [69%] cases. Associated comorbidities were diabetes mellitus in nine [31%] patients and chronic kidney disease [CKD] in eight [27%] patients. Duration of symptoms before hospitalization ranged from 2.9 days to 5 days. Elevated liver enzymes were present in 14 [50%] patients and impaired renal profile present in eight [27%] patients. We also describe in this study radiological patterns and factors associated with mortality
Conclusion: MERS-CoV infection transmission continues to occur as clusters in healthcare facilities. The frequency of cases and deaths is higher among men than women and among patients with comorbidities