MERS-CoV

Diagnostic Use

All specimens must be discussed with and approved by the Microbiologist before being tested.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Typical MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is common, but MERS patients may not always develop this condition. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported among MERS patients.
Approximately 35% of MERS cases reported to WHO have died.

MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted between animals and people. MERS-CoV has been identified and linked to human infections in dromedary camels in several Member States in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Human-to-human transmission is possible and has occurred predominantly among close contacts and in health care settings. Outside the health care setting, there has been limited human-to-human transmission.

Department

Microbiology - Virology

Delphic Registration Code

MERS

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Swab samples can be shared for SARS-CoV-2, Rapid Influenza/RSV, Respiratory multiplex

Laboratory

Requests are batch tested daily Monday - Friday, approx 1100; results available mid-late afternoon. Urgent or weekend testing must be discussed with and approved by a Microbiologist.

Test Adds

After processing, samples for rapid respiratory screening are stored for 4 weeks before discard. Add-on requests for Respiratory Multiplex PCR may be made for other appropriate tests during this time frame by contacting Virology if clinical indications are met. Approval from a Microbiologist may be required.

Synonyms

MERS CoV
MERS Coronavirus

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

8753

Specimen Type

• Nasopharyngeal Swab

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Swab - Viral

Acceptable

• Pottle

Pre-testing Requirements

Microbiologist/Virologist must be consulted prior to test request.

Full respiratory panel may be tested prior to performing a MERS PCR.

Additional Specimen Information

Lower respiratory tract specimen preferred.

Nasopharyngeal swab in UTM

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Test Method

Detection of MERS-Coronavirus RNA, reverse transcriptase PCR. Confirmation of positives by sequencing at reference laboratory.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$154.31 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8753

Recommendations on who to test:
• Individuals with pneumonia or pneumonitis and history of travel to, or residence in, the Arabian Peninsula.
• Individuals with pneumonia or pneumonitis and history of contact with those in point 1 above.
• Health care workers with pneumonia, who have been caring for patients with severe acute respiratory infections, particularly patients requiring intensive care, without regard to place of residence or history of travel, where another cause has not been confirmed.

Clinicians and general practitioners should be aware of atypical non-respiratory presentations in immunocompromised patients but testing for MERS coronavirus should be performed in patients with radiological evidence of pneumonitis with the appropriate travel/contact history.

Contact details of the referring clinician should be included with each request

Contact Information

Enquiry Form