6 Things You Need to Know When Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

By Andy Tofilon • July 16, 2014

By Andy Tofilon

In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the United States. MERS affects the respiratory system (lungs and upper airway). According to the CDC, most MERS patients have developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

To ensure health care providers know how to handle suspected cases, the Mayo Clinic Virology Laboratory advises the following steps for testing:

	NOTIFY Notify the epidemiologist at your state department of health for approval to send specimen(s) to the state health laboratory for testing.
	COLLECT If approval is obtained, collect the samples required for submission. The samples recommended by CDC for MERS-CoV testing include (in order of priority): Lower respiratory specimen (such as bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washing, sputum or tracheal aspirate) Nasopharyngeal swab Serum or plasma Stool
	RULE OUT Molecular testing to rule-out other respiratory viral infections (e.g., influenza A/B, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus) is available through Mayo Medical Laboratories.
	DO NOT SEND VIRAL CULTURES Do NOT submit samples collected from patients with possible MERS-CoV to Mayo Medical Laboratories for viral culture. Propagation of this virus in culture is hazardous to laboratory personnel and special precautions are necessary. Viral culture should only be performed at a state health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	PACKAGE IT UP Packaging, shipping, and transport of specimens from suspect cases of MERS-CoV infection must follow the current edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.
	LEARN MORE Additional information on MERS-CoV is available on the CDC website.