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United States virus
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DISEASE AGENT & DISEASE OVERVIEW
A disease agent is a biological pathogen that causes a disease, such as a virus, parasite, fungus, or bacterium. Technically, the term can also refer to a toxin or toxic chemical that causes illness.
Read on to learn more about the pathogen causing the new emerging disease, United States ebolavirus (UEBOV), common name United States virus (USAV).
GENOME SIZE
Using samples from the patients that were diagnosed, a flow cytometry histogram was made.
From the equation:
GSunk = GSE.coli(PI-fluorunk/PI-fluorE.coli)
genome size was determined.
GSunk = 4600(0.567/173.32)
= 15.0 kb
Since 15.05 kb < 170 kb, the unknown pathogen is a virus.
Figure 1: Flow Cytometry Histogram depicting counts and Red PI Fluorescence.
TYPE OF AGENT
After concluding that the pathogen was a virus, testing had to be done to determine which one. The latex aggulation test, as pictured in Figure 3, was run. This tests for common viral genera.
From the test, it was ascertained that the unknown pathogen was from the Ebolavirus genera.
DETAILS OF GENERA
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Order: Mononegavirales
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Family: Filoviridae
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Long filaments, "thread-like"
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Confined primarily to central, eastern, and western Africa
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Enveloped virions with a single glycoprotein
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Single stranded, negative-sense RNA
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CDC biosafety level 4
Figure 2: Scanning Electron Microscopy sample from Cecil Abril
MODE OF INFECTION
Step 1: The protein attaches to the host's receptors through the glycoprotein on its surace.
Step 2: Then the membranes of the cell and virus fuse. The RNA of the virus is released into the cell.
Step 3: Transcription occurs.
Step 4: Replication occurs when enough nucleoproteins are present to make a capsid.
Step 5: Newly senthesized virus leaves the cell through budding. This separates the cell's membrane to surround the virus and is
accomplished through the cellular
endosomal sorting complex required for transport.
Figure 3: Latex aggulation test card with antibodies for generas. Clumping occurs in positive tests.
SYMPTOMS
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Fever
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Headache
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Neck stiffness
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Seizures
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Behavioral changes (ex: easily angered)
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Confusion
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General weakness
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Aphasia
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Hemiparisis
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Visual field cut
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Glial nodule formation
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Reactive astrocytosis
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Mononuclear inflammatory cells accumulate around and infiltrate blood vessels
These symptoms are ordered from mild to extreme and are consistent with acute viral encephalitis, which affects the brain.
NOMENCLATURE
The pathogen was previously unknown. Ebolaviruses are named after the place where they were first identified. The common name then stems from the scientific name.
For this reason we named the virus,
United States ebolavirus (UEBOV), common name United States virus (USAV).
OUTCOME
In all confirmed patients, the symptoms progressed in a matter of days. Most became unconscious and remained in a comatose state thereafter. Of the confirmed cases, there is a 100% fatality. We are
currently working on a way to prevent and treat the pathogen, so that there may be a better outlook in the future.
TRANSMISSION
Transmission occurs primarily from bites of the Ctenocephalides felis, commonly known as the cat flea. These fleas may be found on pets and as a result may infest houses of pet owners. Current findings
indicate that the virus does not
spread from human to human contact or from aresol exposure.
SUCSEPTIBILITY
People of all ages can be affected by the United States virus. Those most susceptible to contraction are cat owners or those that come in contact with cats. Notably, the link to all confirmed cases were exotic cats, with the Serval cat being the most common.