Plasma MERS-CoV RT-PCR may serve as an effective tool to predict MERS-CoV-associated mortality. Older age and comorbid conditions may have contributed to the lack of efficacy of IFN-α2a or IFN-β1a with ribavirin in treating MERS-CoV. Absence of fever should not exclude MERS-CoV.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV) may cause severe pneumonia with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with multiple comorbid condition. MERS CoV pneumonia has not been previously reported in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Herein, we report a case of MERS CoV pneumonia with a successful outcome in a patient recently diagnosed with HIV.

Background: H. pylori infection causes gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and is a risk factor for developing gastric malignancies and affects 30% of adult Australians. Successful eradication of H. pylori infection is hindered by drug resistance. Rates of drugresistant H. pylori is increasing in Australia and guidelines recommend eradication regimens to be informed by local resistance rates.