Part 1 Discovery of SARS Virus

1
Part 1Discovery of SARS Virus
Electron microscope picture of Corona Virus
2
Initial Research

• February 11, 2003, initially suspected to be
  linked to a newly emerging influenza virus.
• February 19, 2003, researchers isolated an
  avian influenza A (H5N1) virus from a child in
  Hong Kong.

3
Initial Research (Continued)

• Investigations focused on members of
  Paramyxoviridae family
• Human metapneumovirus present in a substantial
  number of XXXXX
• China reported detection, by electron microscopy.
• WHO called 11 lab. in 9 countries.

4
Breakthrough

• March 2003 - laboratories in Hong Kong, USA, and
  Germany found evidence of a novel coronavirus in
  patients with SARS.
• Evidence included isolation on cell culture

5
Four of Koch's Postulates

• Pathogen must be found in all cases.
• Must be isolated from the host and grown in pure
  culture.
• Must reproduce original disease when introduced
  into a susceptible host.
• Must be found in experimental host so infected.

6
Interstitial Pneumonia Resembling SARS

• Infection caused interstitial pneumonia
  resembling SARS
• Virus isolated from the nose and throat of the
  monkeys, as shown by RT-PCR and by virus
  isolation
• Isolated virus was identical to that inoculated.