Scientists identify virus behind deadly SARS

Reuters ^ | 4-10-03 | Maggie Fox

[CathyRyan]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) -- A Floridian who contracted SARS abroad has infected a co-worker, according to the Florida Department of Health.

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[syriacus]

Will ibuprofen or some similar anti-inflammatory drug help?

[Incorrigible]

[Prince Charles]

Ribavarin seems to be the best chance one has for recovery.

[EternalHope]

All of the patients with severe SARS had the virus, while none of the healthy people had it. Of those with suspected SARS, the virus could be found in 23 percent.

Meaning, the statistics we are currently looking at are distorted by a fair number of non-SARS cases.

I assume the "suspected" SARS cases they looked at were in the U.S., since we are the nation most likely to classify a case as "suspected" SARS.

[aristeides]

Coronavirus as a possible cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome

J S M Peiris, S T Lai, L L M Poon, Y Guan, L Y C Yam, W Lim, J Nicholls, W K S Yee, W W Yan, M T Cheung, V C C Cheng, K H Chan, D N C Tsang, R W H Yung, T K Ng, K Y Yuen, and members of the SARS study group

Summary

Background An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been reported in Hong Kong. We investigated the viral cause and clinical presentation among 50 patients.

Methods We analysed case notes and microbiological findings for 50 patients with SARS, representing more than five separate epidemiologically linked transmission clusters. We defined the clinical presentation and risk factors associated with severe disease and investigated the causal agents by chest radiography and laboratory testing of nasopharyngeal aspirates and sera samples. We compared the laboratory findings with those submitted for microbiological investigation of other diseases from patients whose identity was masked.

Findings Patients' age ranged from 23 to 74 years. Fever, chills, myalgia, and cough were the most frequent complaints. When compared with chest radiographic changes, respiratory symptoms and auscultatory findings were disproportionally mild. Patients who were household contacts of other infected people, and had older age, lymphopenia, and liver dysfunction were associated with severe disease. A virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae was isolated from two patients. By use of serological and reverse-transcriptase PCR specific for this virus, 45 of 50 patients with SARS, but no controls, had evidence of infection with this virus.

Interpretation A coronavirus was isolated from patients with SARS that might be the primary agent associated with this disease. Serological and molecular tests specific for the virus permitted a definitive laboratory diagnosis to be made and allowed further investigation to define whether other cofactors play a part in disease progression.

http://www.thelancet.com/journal/journal.isa

[Dog Gone]

I want to know what's the deal with the Super Spreaders.

[thathamiltonwoman]

There was an Asian lady on the train today who was caughing up a storm. It was probably just allergies but the looks of horror on the other passengers faces was almost funny.

[aristeides]

I want to know what's the deal with the Super Spreaders.

Domestic Church speculates they take aspirin.

[aristeides]

Patients who were household contacts of other infected people, and had older age, lymphopenia, and liver dysfunction were associated with severe disease.

I know I've read ibuprofin can cause liver problems. Can aspirin?

[Domestic Church]

If you are taking NSAIDS(aspirin, advil type meds, not tylenol) for their anti inflammatory effects (or for fever with an inflamation) you take a dosage that will reduce tissue swelling...and if the inflammation is in the upper/lower respiratory tract you will have the viral exudate being coughed and sneezed out at a greater rate. So when you take these you increase the virulence of the sneeze/cough. Some people take therapeutic levels of NSAIDS continually.

But there was news of folks catching this SARS from a wake up in Canada. If so, then it sounds like the body is shedding this virus through the skin.

[InShanghai]

I think it could be possible that since the coronavirus is linked to the common cold, there are probably people who's immune system has already built up a defense against this pathogen - or one similar too it.

Secondly, they've found evidence of two pathogens working in conjunction (however, not necessarily Chlamydia):
SARS a combination of bacteria and virus
China: SARS May Be Linked to Chlamydia-Like Agent

If this were the case, one would have to have a defense against both pathogens. IMO, this is why the virus is more difficult for the body to battle. As far as the case of the super-spreaders, the pathogen that is working in conjunction with the coronavirus may make the combination deadly. However, if a carrier passes the coronavirus to someone without a secondary infection (or one the body can handle), the effects are not fatal.

Maybe in the case of the super-spreader, both viruses were passed, and in the case of the apartment building, an underlying virus was already at work in the building.

If any of this is true, it would mean that two viruses would be active at the same time. Finding a cure for any combination of two viruses would be extremely difficult.

[SauronOfMordor]

Starting with the April 10 breakdown of SARS cases, WHO's table has a format change. Now, besides deaths, they also list the number who recover. The current world totals are 2781 cases, 111 deaths, 1337 recoveries.

[aristeides]

Finding a cure for any combination of two viruses would be extremely difficult.

If it's the combination that's deadly, why wouldn't it be enough just to find a cure for one of the two viruses (or, alternatively, find some way to block their synergistic effect)?

By the way, a propos of another comment of yours, I wonder if we should seek out getting colds, to improve our resistance to SARS.

[aristeides]

FYI.

[gracex7]

But there was news of folks catching this SARS from a wake up in Canada. If so, then it sounds like the body is shedding this virus through the skin.

While the disease was spread at the wake, it was not by the deceased (directly). Several relatives of the deceased contracted it from him/her while visiting at the hospital and consequently, passed it on to others at the funeral.

[per loin]

The real horror would be if the coronavirus is promiscuous in its selection of a companion virus. I'd hate to see it get to Africa and hook up with Ebola.

[InShanghai]

If it's the combination that's deadly, why wouldn't it be enough just to find a cure for one of the two viruses (or, alternatively, find some way to block their synergistic effect)?

Treating one would probably better than treating none. Blocking the synergistic effect would be a great step forward, but I don't think we'll see that for a long time. Immuno-depressed cancer patients are succeptible to all kinds of common viruses and we cannot currently do much to help.

I wonder if we should seek out getting colds, to improve our resistance to SARS.

You guys should know I'm just speculating here. Some viruses have trouble re-infecting a person once that person had the virus (ie: chicken pox). However, there are people who get re-infected even if they have had it before (ie: Shingles). Staying healthy by exercise and proper diet are the best bet. Seeking out a cold is not productive at all.

IMO, SARS is here. I would bet that it's much more widespread than we think and that some people are not even showing 'classic' symptoms. The cases that are being reported are the cases where an opportunistic, secondary virus is causing hospitalization and even death.