.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Human Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Research in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Mapping Scoping Review of Epidemiology, Clade, and Research Priority Gaps
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
R
S
H
D
L
W
S
A
DOI：10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103272.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continues to pose a substantial public health challenge within Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This scoping review systematically examines geographic distribution, methodological characteristics, and thematic priorities of published research, while identifying critical evidence gaps. A total of 171 peer-reviewed studies on human MERS-CoV were included, with a marked predominance from Saudi Arabia (88.3%). Research output peaked in 2016 and 2019, followed by a decline coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional designs were most common (43.3%), with widespread reliance on non-probability sampling (95.3%). Epidemiology and surveillance constituted the primary research focus (~24%), with case fatality rate being the most frequently reported metric (43.9%). Limited genomic investigations were identified, with Clade B representing 71.4% of characterized strains. Overall, the evidence base reflects geographic concentration, methodological heterogeneity, and thematic limitations, underscoring the need for expanded research scope and enhanced regional collaboration.
Keywords:
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CFR
Case Fatality Rate
CINAHL
Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature
COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease 2019
DPP4
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4
ELISA
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
ECMO
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
GCC
Gulf Cooperation Council
HLA
Human Leukocyte Antigen
IFA
Immunofluorescence Assay
IPC
Infection Prevention and Control
KAP
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice
MERS
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
MERS-CoV
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction
PRISMA-ScR
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews
PRNT
Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test
RNA
Ribonucleic Acid
rRT-PCR
Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
SARS-CoV-2
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
SNP
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
UAE
United Arab Emirates
WHO
World Health Organization
MERS-CoV
Dromedary Camels
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Zoonotic Diseases
AI Summary
Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.
Journal
IF:
4
Papers:
570
Citations:
7.0K
Organization
Cited Papers