Abstract
A novel coronavirus, MERS-CoV (NCoV, HCoV-EMC/2012), originating from the Middle-East, has been discovered. Incoming data reveal that the virus is highly virulent to humans. A model that categorizes coronaviuses according to the hardness of their shells was developed before the discovery of MERS-CoV. Using protein intrinsic disorder prediction, coronaviruses were categorized into three groups that can be linked to the levels of oral-fecal and respiratory transmission regardless of genetic proximity. Using this model, MERS-CoV is placed into disorder group C, which consists of coronaviruses that have relatively hard inner and outer shells. The members of this group are likely to persist in the environment for a longer period of time and possess the highest oral-fecal components but relatively low respiratory transmission components. Oral-urine and saliva transmission are also highly possible since both require harder protective shells. Results show that disorder prediction can be used as a tool that suggests clues to look for in further epidemiological investigations.
Highlights
MERS-CoV/HCoV-Eramus Medical Center (EMC): A novel coronavirus that is highly virulent In June 2012, a 60-years old Saudi man was hospitalized with acute respiratory symptoms and was tested to be negative for diseases known at that time
This new virus was originally named HCoVEMC, for human coronavirus – Eramus Medical Center.[1, 2]. This name is used in most current publications and in UniProt, this virus is known by other names, such as NCoV, and MERS-CoV
A higher level of oral-fecal transmission is predicted for MERS-CoV, based on intrinsic disorder analysis of its shell, which positions it in disorder group C, which is the group that has the highest level of oral-fecal transmission and the relatively lowest levels of respiratory transmission
Summary
MERS-CoV/HCoV-EMC: A novel coronavirus that is highly virulentIn June 2012, a 60-years old Saudi man was hospitalized with acute respiratory symptoms and was tested to be negative for diseases known at that time. Samples were sent to the Eramus Medical Center (EMC), Netherlands, and the virus isolated in sample was verified to be a coronavirus that was previously unknown This new virus was originally named HCoVEMC, for human coronavirus – Eramus Medical Center.[1 , 2] this name is used in most current publications and in UniProt, this virus is known by other names, such as NCoV (novel coronavirus, an initial temporary name), and MERS-CoV (short for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, the latest terms approved by WHO on May 15, 2013, http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics /communicable-diseases/influenza/news/news/2013/05/novel-coronavirus-update-new-virus-to-be-calledmers-cov). Two names, MERS-CoV and HCoV-EMC, will be interchangeably used to
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