Stephanie Trimboli
November 30th, 2015
Virology Research Paper Coronavirus Vaccine Development
Coronaviruses became prominent in the last 15 years after two human outbreaks brought them to society’s attention. In 2003 a coronavirus began infecting people in China. It was named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and by the end of the epidemic over 8,000 people had been infected worldwide with more than 800 deaths (Weiss and Navas-Martin 2005). In 2012 a new coronavirus strain lead to another outbreak in Saudi Arabia. This virus was named the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and more than one thousand cases were reported with 30% of infections resulting in death (Malczyk, Kupke et al. 2015). While these were not the first human coronavirus infections identified (HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 were identified in the 60’s), they were the first that caused anything more than a common cold, and therefore they caused public alarm (Graham, Donaldson et al. 2013). Research into the viral subfamily intensified in response and scientists elucidated more details about the replication, pathogenesis, and evolution of coronaviruses. The ultimate goal is to develop vaccines against the virus and prevent further death. To date, there is no available treatments or vaccines against MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV. Coronaviruses are a genus in the Coronaviridae family, which is in the order Nidovirales. They have a positive sense RNA genome 26-32 kb in
* Flaviviruses: share a common size (40-60nm), symmetry (enveloped, icosahedral nucleocapsid), nucleic acid (positive-sense, single stranded RNA approximately 10,000-11,000 bases), and appearance in the electron microscope. Therefore, images of West Nile virus are representative for this group of viruses.
During every year everyone trembles in fear as a new and stronger strand of flu like sickness comes along. These viruses are met with vaccines that are swiftly made by the World Health Organization. The problem with the way that vaccines are made is, the World Health Organization not only makes the vaccines but also deems the vaccines safe. Since they are responsible for making and deeming the vaccines safe, mistakes can lead to mass deaths. For this reason there should be checks and balances where other agencies test the vaccines for potential threat of mental illness, dangerous ingredients, and death. This system is definitely due for an complete overhaul due to the lives of the families that are affected.
will potentially lead to a health crisis), one immunizes. Inoculating against infection is not only
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a severe acute respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus named MERS-CoV. It is believed that the virus is found in camels and passed on to humans who are in contact or around infected animal. These camels are mainly located in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia (WHO, 2015a). Those infected with MERS exhibit fever, cough, and shortness of breath, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Severe cases require patient to be put on mechanical ventilation or in an intensive care unit. It is also known to cause kidney failure and septic shock. The elderly, persons who are immunosuppressed, those who
In September of 2012, beginning in the country of Saudi Arabia, hospitals began seeing increased cases of a respiratory virus never before seen in humans. They named it Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. MERS is a viral respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. It was originally thought to have started there in Saudi Arabia. It was not until later that they were able to trace the origin back to Jordan starting in April of 2012. All outbreaks of MERS have been traced back to originating from the Arabian Peninsula (CDC, 2015a). Unfortunately, it is not known exactly how MERS was contracted in humans, but it is believed to have come from an animal source, probably from camels. Strains of MERS
SARS is a respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus that was thought to have originated in Guangdong China but was not reported until
Throughout history, infectious diseases have impacted communities around the world. Outbreaks of bacteria and viruses in the past have damaged cities and devastated populations. Over the years, new developments in technology have led to advances in medicine and health. The great strides that have been made over the years have helped improve the lives of individuals and have led to a better environment.
Currently, one of the major problems in the world is the rapid change of our climate. Years of research and studies have linked climate change to the spreading and occurrence of many infectious diseases. Vectors and pathogens that were not able to spread to certain countries before because temperatures were too low for them to survive in are now being able to habituate these parts of the world because of how much warmer our planet is becoming. This is concerning to us because infectious diseases can increase death rates. Therefore, if our planet continues to get warmer, the more infectious diseases will spread, and the more humans will die. This research paper attempts to provide a better understanding on how diseases are spreading more
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, originally reported in Asia in February 2003 and spread to over two dozen countries before being contained (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005). Once infected, individuals with SARS initially develop a high fever and other flu-like symptoms including headache, body aches and “overall feeling of discomfort” before, in most cases, progressing to pneumonia (CDC, 2005).
Avian influenza is a disease that has been wreaking havoc on human populations since the 16th century. With the recent outbreak in 1997 of a new H5N1 avian flu subtype, the world has begun preparing for a pandemic by looking upon its past affects. In the 20th Century, the world witnessed three pandemics in the years of 1918, 1957, and 1968. In 1918 no vaccine, antibiotic, or clear recognition of the disease was known. Killing over 40 million in less than a year, the H1N1 strain ingrained a deep and lasting fear of the virus throughout the world. Though 1957 and 1968 brought on milder pandemics, they still killed an estimated 3 million people and presented a new
When the Smallpox disease made an overpopulated England its territory, it thrived and wiped out thousands of people (“Smallpox Vaccine: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”). Smallpox was a major threat to many countries and civilizations for thousands of years; however, the permanent cure for the disease began in England. During the eighteenth century, a physician by the name of Edward Jenner was credited with the invention of the most important piece of medical technology, the vaccine, and became known as the “Father of Immunology”. Although Edward Jenner encountered errors in his research, and people questioned the ethics of the vaccine trials, he used his knowledge, determination, and medical experience to explore a more efficient and advanced
If you were to question any public health professional as to what the greatest biomedical achievement of the last century was, they would likely struggle to find a more influential achievement than the development of vaccines. The struggling breaths of whooping cough, the horrendous birth defects caused by rubella, and the clunky braces used by children paralyzed by polio, all are only thought of as occurrences of the past by many Americans. Many find it hard to believe that less than a century ago; the infant mortality rate was a massive 20 percent (Alexandra, Markel, 2005). Fortunately, many of these devastating diseases have been eradicated because of the development and widespread use of vaccines. The history of vaccines is, however, very complex. The growth widespread use of vaccines requires a balance of scientific ingenuity and social acceptance. Vaccines historically have, and continue to, cause strong scientific, social, and cultural reactions.
Our current society is surrounded by the debatable usage of vaccines and its importance around the world. Since the introduction of immunizations, many diseases have been decreased and even eradicated from humanity. Even though this is true, serious side effects along with lifelong illnesses follow the temporary cure of viruses. A vaccine is a substance that delivers immunity against viruses and is used to stimulate the construction of antibodies. Vaccines are prepared from the disease itself treated to perform as an antigen without inducing the disease (Vaccines). These inoculations are used worldwide and various unknown infections have been speculated as the originations for them. Vaccines were originated as an alternative to cure viruses among people but the harmful symptoms, unknown links to incurable
The MERs-CoV pathogen is an enveloped RNA virus that is a genus of the Betacoronavirus which is a subtype of the coronavirinae family.6 The coronavirus gets its name from the spikes on its surface that gives it a crown or halo type
MERS-CoV is a respiratory disease that was first found in Saudi Arabia in 2012. This virus can cause people to get diseases such as the common cold to a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).