中东呼吸综合征(MERS)由中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(MERS­-CoV)感染所致，感染者可并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征，严重者可发展为肾衰竭而死亡。该病自2012年世界卫生组织(WHO)首次报告以来，在沙特阿拉伯等20多个国家时有发生，对全球公共卫生构成重大威胁。本文对MERS相关临床特征进行综述，以期对该病的发生和流行及早诊治和防控。

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS­-CoV). Most people with confirmed MERS-­CoV infection develop to severe acute respiratory syndrome, and the severe patients may progress to kidney failure resulting in death. MERS was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. So far, all the cases have been linked to over 20 countries in and near the Arabian Peninsula, which poses a great threat to global public health. Here the research progress on MERS clinical control is summarized.