A new virus has been discovered recently. Information on the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical signs and control/treatment is as follows:
Family: Rhabdoviridae
Genus: Lyssavirus
Virus still unnamed. Suggestions for name of virus is welcome.
Pathogenesis: Following infection via optical and auditory routes, the virus localises in the optic and/or cochlear nerve(s) before retroaxonal transport moves the virus to the CNS via cranial nerves II and/or VIII. Subsequently the virus localises in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe, occipital and temporal lobes before replicating, damaging the neurons in the process. Secondary haematogenous spread occurs with transient viraemia before infecting the salivary glands.
Clinical Signs: Following damage to the prefrontal cortex, occipital and temporal lobes, the affected patient manifests signs associated with damage to those areas of the brain such as irrationality, auditory and visual hallucinations with frequent indulgence in delusional thinking . Excessive incoherent speech is a typical sign which is one of the primary means of virus excretion via saliva. Loosely associated with lower IQ. Other clinical signs included suicidal tendencies (especially by means of explosives), homophobia, realitophobia, necrophobia, excessive hypocrisy and imposing their views on others.
Epidemiology: Strangely, this virus only affect humans, as opposed to the closely related Rabies Virus which can affect all homeothermic animals. Is found in all continents but serotype distribution is mainly determined by geographic location. Currently, sertypes C and I are the most common serotypes. Epidemic in USA and western Asia and endemic in most other countries in the world. Japan and China are relatively free of infection. Humans are the only transmission host and excrete high titres of virus in saliva. The virus is extremely resistant to dessication and is most commonly found in formites such as books. Vertical transmission is an important route of transmission.
Control and treatment: Currently, the only vaccine available is a live-attenuated vaccine marketed as ScientiVac. Post-infection treatment is by injection hyper-immune serum with varying degrees of success. Difficult to treat as infected patients tend to refuse treatment and may turn hostile. Strangely in infected patients, the immune system does not respond with no antibodies produced even though antibody is protective. This suggests an in vivo mechanism that suppresses the adaptive immune system.
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2 comments:
Ha ha ha, I have no idea what to call it. Let me think about it.
But seriously ScientiVac doesn't work on them.
I once had a conversation with one of your "patients" who said that science isn't correct because it doesn't work outside of the laboratory. Imagine antibiotics, MP3 players and aeroplanes that suddenly stop working the moment they leave the R&D lab!
It's amazing how these infected patients project the shortcomings of their own beliefs on other systems that do not have these weaknesses.
Oh and you can add excessive hypocrisy to your clinical signs list. Their disbelief in science doesn't stop them from using modern technology (often to spread their anti-science beliefs!) like nobody's business.
Lol! ScientiVac like all vaccines should be given to people before they get infected! Like the rabies virus, once the virus gets into the axon of the nerves, nothing on earth will save them.
"Oh and you can add excessive hypocrisy to your clinical signs list. Their disbelief in science doesn't stop them from using modern technology (often to spread their anti-science beliefs!) like nobody's business."
Yes boss! I'll add them in right now! Hahaha
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