Mohammed M. Albarrak

TL;DR: In patients with severe MERS-CoV infection, ribavirin and interferon alfa-2a therapy is associated with significantly improved survival at 14 days, but not at 28 days; further assessment in appropriately designed randomised trials is recommended.

TL;DR: In a study of viral load, shedding, and immune response in 37 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection, virus was not eliminated upon development of neutralizing serum antibodies.

TL;DR: MERS-CoV infection requiring admission to the ICU is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and the need for vasopressor therapy is the main risk factor for death in these patients.

TL;DR: The timing and intensity of respiratory viral shedding in MERS patients closely matches that of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) patients and neutralizing antibodies do not suffice to clear the infection.

TL;DR: Therapeutic vancomycin levels are difficult to maintain in critically ill patients who are receiving IV vancomalcin therapy whilst on CRRT, and aggressive dosing schedules and frequent monitoring are required to ensure adequate vancomYcin therapy in this setting.