Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

Emerging infectious disease responsible for the first pandemic of the 21st century; there have been no reported cases since 2004.

Infection control precautions are of paramount importance; transmission is usually caused by direct contact with infected individuals through respiratory droplets.

Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the test of choice for confirming diagnosis.

Treatment is mainly supportive; neither specific therapy nor a vaccine is available.

Fatality rate is about 10% and death usually occurs due to severe respiratory failure.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral pneumonia that rapidly progresses to respiratory failure.[1]Christian MD, Poutanen SM, Loutfy MR, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;38:1420-1427. http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/10/1420.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15156481?tool=bestpractice.com It is an emerging, potentially fatal infectious disease.[2]World Health Organization: global alert and response (GAR). Summary of probable SARS cases with onset of illness from 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003. December 2003 [internet publication]. http://www.who.int/csr/sars/country/table2004_04_21/en A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which is not closely related to any of the previously characterised coronaviruses, has been identified as the pathogen responsible for the disease.[3]Peiris JS, Lai ST, Poon LL, et al. Coronavirus as a possible cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Lancet. 2003;361:1319-1325. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12711465?tool=bestpractice.com This syndrome is associated with signs and symptoms of acute lower respiratory tract illness and radiological evidence of consolidation following close contact with an infected person.[1]Christian MD, Poutanen SM, Loutfy MR, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;38:1420-1427. http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/10/1420.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15156481?tool=bestpractice.com