Non-SARS Non-MERS Human Coronaviruses: Clinical Characteristics and Outcome.

Israa Saib,Abdulrahman Alsaedy,Mohammad Bosaeed,Naif Khalaf Alharbi,Ahmed Alshehri,Saud Aleisa,Sameera Aljohani,Ebrahim Mahmoud,Husam Ardah,Ahmad O. Alharbi

doi:10.3390/pathogens10121549

Abstract

Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have become evident sources of human respiratory infections with new emerging HCoVs as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The common four coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43) are known to cause respiratory illness in humans, but their clinical impact is poorly described in the literature. We analyzed the data of all patients who tested positive for at least one of the four HCoVs from October 2015 to January 2020 in a tertiary care center. HCoVs were detected in 1062 specimens, with an incidence rate of 1.01%, out of all documented respiratory illnesses. Detection of these viruses was reported sporadically throughout the years, with a peak of occurrence during winter seasons. OC43 had the highest incidence (53.7%), followed by NL63 (21.9%), HKU1 (12.6%), and 229E (11.8%). Most of these infections were community-acquired, with symptoms of both upper and lower respiratory tract. Co-detection with other viruses were observed, mostly with rhinovirus. 229E was the most frequent (26.4%) HCoV in patients requiring intensive care, while NL63 and 229E were the most common in patients requiring invasive ventilation. The highest 30-day mortality rate was observed in patients infected with 229E (6.4%). HCoVs are common circulating pathogens that have been present for decades, with 229E being the most virulent in this study cohort.

Highlights

Over recent decades, it has become evident that coronaviruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans
In 2002, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the first recorded human coronavirus outbreak emerged in Guangdong Province in mainland China, from where it spread to 26 countries with a total of 8,098 people worldwide becoming sick and 774 died [1,2]
The mean age was around 13.6 years ± 25.5, with OC43 and NL63 detected in the younger age group

Summary

Introduction

It has become evident that coronaviruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. There are four common coronaviruses: 229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43 that are known to cause respiratory illness in humans with symptoms ranging from mild to severe disease. Emerging coronaviruses have been documented in the past two decades. In 2002, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the first recorded human coronavirus outbreak emerged in Guangdong Province in mainland China, from where it spread to 26 countries with a total of 8,098 people worldwide becoming sick and 774 died [1,2]. A decade later, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Emerged in Saudi Arabia with 2468 cases and a high mortality rate of 35% [3].

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