MERS vaccine successful in animal trials

An experimental vaccine for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or MERS has successfully immunized monkeys and camels against the disease in trials.

The findings of the animal experiment were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Researchers from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania used a synthetic DNA vaccine to rhesus macaque monkeys. Later, the animals were exposed to the MERS virus. The experiment yield promise as the monkeys was immune against the disease.

According to a report by Healthline, Dr. David B. Weiner, professor of pathology and lead author of the research, said the vaccine also helped in stopping the transmission of the disease by creating antibodies in the blood from camels.

Business Standard reports that since the vaccine does not use a live strain of MERS coronavirus, it will not likely spread the disease. However, more research will be conducted to further develop the vaccine for humans.

"The significant recent increase in MERS cases, coupled with the lack of effective antiviral therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent this infection, have raised significant concern," Dr. Weiner said. "Accordingly the development of a vaccine for MERS remains a high priority."

MERS is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus similar to the one that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The disease first surfaced in Saudi Arabia in 2012 where majority of the infected cases come from. The virus has been found in camels and is believed to have infected humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MERS in the Republic of Korea that started since May 2015 is considered to be the second largest outbreak outside of the Arabian Peninsula. There have been 174 confirmed cases in Korea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 36 percent of those infected with MERS have died.

Symptoms of MERS include flu-like symptoms such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. According to Medicine Net, gastrointestinal symptoms could also occur.

According to WHO, severe forms of MERS can cause respiratory failure that can land the patient in intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation. Others may experience organ failure in the kidneys or septic shock. People who are at most risk of developing the more severe form of the disease are older people, and people with compromised immune systems and underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine available for MERS. However, supportive treatment can be given to the patient to help manage the symptoms.