[Severe acute respiratory syndrome: a singular epidemic of viral pneumonia].

INFECTIOUS AGENT: The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a febrile pneumonia initially observed in China at the end of 2002. The infectious agent has rapidly been identified as a new coronavirus, baptised SARS-associated coronavirus (CoV-SARS). Transmission is inter-human, via respiratory particles mainly. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND TREATMENT: The clinical presentation is highly variable, from a mild fever to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. There is no specific treatment. Ribavirin associated with steroids have been used with success in numerous cases. EPIDEMIOLOGY: During the first half of 2003, the spreading of the virus has been very fast, with a pandemic mode of evolution. More than 8,000 people were infected and 774 died. The reservoir of the virus, which may be animal, is still unknown. The epidemic seems to be controlled, but sporadic or epidemic re-emergences may occur and have been observed in China during January 2004.