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"A novel coronavirus
associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome,"
by Thomas G. Ksiazek and
25 others for the SARS Working Group, New England Journal of Medicine,
348(20): 1953-66, 15 May 2003.
[7 institutions worldwide.
Abstract: "Background A
worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been
associated
with exposures originating from a single ill health care worker from Guangdong
Province, China. We conducted studies to identify the etiologic agent of this
outbreak. Methods We received clinical specimens from patients in seven
countries and tested them, using virus-isolation techniques, electron-microscopical
and histologic studies and molecular and serologic assays, in an attempt to
identify a wide range of potential pathogens. Results None of the
previously described respiratory pathogens were consistently identified.
However, a novel coronavirus was isolated from patients who met the case
definition of SARS. Cytopathological features were noted in Vero E6 cells
inoculated with a throat-swab specimen. Electron microscopical examination
revealed ultrastructural features characteristic of coronaviruses.
Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed reactivity with
group I coronavirus polyclonal antibodies. Consensus coronavirus primers
designed to amplify a fragment of the polymerase gene by reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to obtain a
sequence that clearly identified the isolate as a unique coronavirus only
distantly related to previously sequenced coronaviruses. With specific
diagnostic RT-PCR primers we identified several identical nucleotide sequences
in 12 patients from several locations, a finding consistent with a
point-source outbreak. Indirect fluorescence antibody tests and enzyme-linked
immunoabsorbent assays made with the new isolate have been used to demonstrate
a virus-specific serologic response. This virus may never before have
circulated in the U.S. population. Conclusions A novel coronavirus is
associated with this outbreak, and the evidence indicates that this virus has
an etiologic role in SARS. Because of the death of Dr. Carlo Urbani, we
propose that our first isolate be named the Urbani strain of SARS-associated
coronavirus."
This 2003 report from the New England
Journal of Medicine was cited 51 times in current journal
articles indexed by Thomson ISI during September-October 2004. With its latest
bimonthly total, this is currently the most-cited paper in medicine published
in the last two years, not counting reviews. Of the current Top Ten papers in
medicine based on citations processed during September-October, this is one of
three SARS reports from NEJM's issue of 15 May 2003. In all, five of
the current Top Ten papers discuss SARS. Prior to the most recent bimonthly
count, citations to the above paper have accrued as follows:
July-August 2004: 54 citations
May-June 2004: 58
March-April 2004: 55
January-February 2004: 71
November-December 2003: 39
September-October 2003: 42
July-August 2003: 29
May-June 2003: 7
Total citations to date: 406
SOURCE: Hot
Papers Database (Included with a subscription to the ISI print newsletter Science
Watch®, available from the ISI
Research Services Group. Packaged on a CD-ROM that is mailed with each Science
Watch issue, the Hot
Papers Database contains data on hundreds of highly cited papers published
during the last two years. User interface permits searching by author,
organization, journal, field, and more. Total citations, as well as citations
accrued during successive bimonthly periods, can be assessed and graphed. An
updated CD containing the most recent bimonthly data is mailed with every new
issue of Science
Watch,
six times a year. The CD also includes an electronic version of the Science
Watch
issue in HTML format, for personal desktop access.)
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