Pandemic threat from mutant MERS viruses from the desert

Mutated MERS virus is even more dangerous for humans

The already dangerous MERS virus could soon become much more deadly. Researchers investigated a mutated version of the virus that has the potential to trigger a destructive pandemic. Prior to the mutations, over a third of all infections ended in death. The recently discovered mutated version was much more resistant to the human immune system. The research team is concerned about the recent development.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS for short, is a dangerous infectious disease that is predominantly rife in the Arabian Peninsula. Recently, a German research team noted that the virus has mutated and formed other dangerous variants that further increase the already existing pandemic potential. Researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen have investigated a MERS mutation that is able to withstand the human immune system more effectively. The study results were recently published in the "Journal of Virology".

MERS viruses: Dromedar, which only causes a slight cold, can cause a fatal infectious disease in humans. (Image: anankkml / fotolia.com)

From the harmless cold to danger to life

MERS viruses were discovered only in 2012. Presumably, the viruses come from the dromedaries of the Arabian Peninsula. The virus belongs to the zoonoses. These are diseases of pet animals that can be transmitted to humans. In dromedaries cause the pathogens only a slight cold. In humans, the viruses become a mortal danger. So far, about 2,000 cases of disease have been detected in humans. 36 percent did not survive the severe respiratory disease.

How do MERS viruses affect humans??

An infection with MERS coronaviruses is accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. It is not uncommon for people to experience severe illnesses, such as pneumonia or kidney failure, which can lead to death. A vaccine against MERS is currently under development. Apart from that, there are currently no efficient treatment options against the infectious disease.

Pandemic potential only became clear in 2015

The devastating effects of MERS viruses have only recently become apparent. In 2015, a South Korean returned from the Arabian Peninsula after a trip. He had become infected with the MERS virus without his knowledge. In the following two months, 186 people infected themselves with the infectious disease. 38 people died. Thereafter, MERS in South Korea was overcome.

Mutation makes MERS more dangerous to humans

During the outbreak in South Korea, an unknown mutation was discovered, which has now been further investigated in a research paper. According to the researchers, the new MERS variant may be less able to penetrate into the host cells, but it is much more resistant to the antibodies of the human immune system. "In South Korea, a mutant variant of MERS has appeared that has increased protection against the antibody response," explains principal author Hannah Kleine-Weber in a press release on the study's findings. This finding shows that the planned use of antibodies to MERS therapy can lead to the emergence of resistant viruses.

A single traveler can trigger a pandemic

The research team was concerned about this development. So far, the danger potential of MERS was still manageable, as it was transmitted primarily from animal to human. Human-to-human transmission is considered rare. "Next changes could make it easier for viruses to spread from person to person," warn the virus experts. Already a single infected traveler could then trigger a deadly chain of infection.

New protective measures are required

"We need to develop systems that help us to predict whether a new mutation will have an impact on the transmissibility of the virus, ie whether there is an increased pandemic potential," emphasizes Markus Hoffmann, one of the study leaders. This applies not only to MERS viruses, but also to many other pathogens that have the potential to endanger a pandemic. (Vb)