Asymptomatic Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus infection using a serologic survey in Korea / 한국역학회지
Epidemiology and Health
;
: e2018014-2018.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-721366
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The rates of asymptomatic infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus vary. A serologic study was conducted to determine the asymptomatic MERS infection rate in healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers by exposure status.METHODS:
Study participants were selected from contacts of MERS patients based on a priority system in 4 regions strongly affected by the 2015 MERS outbreak. A sero-epidemiological survey was performed in 1,610 contacts (average duration from exposure to test, 4.8 months), and the collected sera were tested using an enzyme-linked immunespecific assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and plaque reduction neutralization antibody test (PRNT). Among the 1,610 contacts, there were 7 ELISA-positive cases, of which 1 exhibited positive IFA and PRNT results.RESULTS:
The asymptomatic infection rate was 0.060% (95% confidence interval, 0.002 to 0.346). The asymptomatic MERS case was a patient who had been hospitalized with patient zero on the same floor of the hospital at the same time. The case was quarantined at home for 2 weeks after discharge, and had underlying diseases, including hypertension, angina, and degenerative arthritis.CONCLUSIONS:
The asymptomatic infection was acquired via healthcare-associated transmission. Thus, it is necessary to extend serologic studies to include inpatient contacts who have no symptoms.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Osteoarthritis
/
Cross Infection
/
Epidemiology
/
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Coronavirus
/
Delivery of Health Care
/
Asymptomatic Infections
/
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
/
Hypertension
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Epidemiology and Health
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
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