Virus analysis

To XXXXXXXX@XXXX.XXX
From: XXXXXXXX@XXXX.XXX
Subject: We need to talk
Connar,
I have attached the rough draft of the results to this email, but we need to talk about this virus. If this thing is out in the wild, then you need to tell me where you found it now. I don’t care what the dragon has to say about this, if this thing makes it to a city it could start a pandemic worse than the Black Death. Millions of lives could be at stake, call me as soon as possible.
Alasa

[Work in progress do not publish]
Abstract: A Biochemical analysis of three blood samples from a private client. Par their request; a full biochemical analysis was preformed including a Basic metabolic panel, a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specified genes, a Northern blot and a Blood culture. The results of the analysis have brought to light, a previously unidentified virus that seems to be the evolutionary descendent of similar viruses that were discovered in samples brought to us by the same client. The same elevated levels of excitatory neurotransmitters were found in all three samples, as well as the beginning of 4 new chromosomes whose sole purpose seems to be activating approximately 700 genes located in the “junk” DNA (this is a substantial increase in the number of new active genes).

Introduction:
This analysis was commissioned by the same anonymous client in Seoul who brought us the other two strange blood samples a few months ago. We were paid up front in cash and given minimal background on where and how these new samples were acquired (as always). The sample was brought to us on 9-14-13 via the usual channels in Moscow; we were told that these blood samples came from three different patients that all contracted the same illness. The first sample came from a 21 year old Chinese male (this sample will be referred to as sample A), the second came from a 17 year old Kenyan female (this sample will be referred to as sample B) and the final sample came from a 57 year old American (of European decent) female (this sample will be referred to as sample C.) We were given a total of 310ml of blood from each subject and a thumb drive containing a list of genes to look for. The blood itself was rather unremarkable at first glance, though it should be noted that at the time all of samples had yet to coagulate which is unusual considering that all of the samples had been collected post mortem.
Examining the cells of each sample under a microscope revealed that despite death having occurred in rest of the body, most of the blood cells (especially the white blood cells) where still actively undergoing mitosis, though it should be noted that the rate of mitosis in these samples was much lower than in the previous samples. When we attempted to dissolve the cells for a chemical analysis we discovered that the solvents were unable to destroy the cells. Ware as the solvents we used in the previous samples were merely ineffective (minimal cell death,) when we attempted to dissolve the cells in these samples the solvent had no observable effect. We then attempted to manually extract a nucleus from cells in each sample and again found that we could not penetrate the cell membrane and when we introduced other carcinogens into the sample in order to halt cellular Mitosis we discovered that the rate of cellular division not only increased but began to convert the carcinogens into helpful compounds.
Again the client ordered a full Biochemical analysis of the sample and asked us to be especially careful with the samples as they suspect that the subjects encountered a particularly potent carcinogen prior to their deaths. We preformed a Basic metabolic panel via Thin-Layer Chromatography, a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specified genes, a Northern blot to check for evidence of gene modification and a Blood culture (both viral and bacterial.) The results have proven to be quite exciting as numerous new cellular structures and behaviors were observed. The specifics of these new structures are outlined in the discussion section of this report.

Methods: Pending

Discussion:
The results of the Biochemical analysis have proven to be quite enlightening about the unusual cellular behavior observed under the microscope in all three samples. It has also raised many more questions about the origins of this family of viruses and their ultimate purpose.  Based on our analysis of previous samples and the similarities they share with these samples, we have come to the conclusion that the virus found in these three new samples represents the results of a particularly sophisticated effort to create a virus capable of reengineering the human genome. However based on what we know about the effects of this virus and its forbearers, the end results are unstable at best. The same unusual characteristics that were detected in previous samples were again detected via Thin-Layer Chromatography in particular extremely elevated levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, but they are still well below what was detected in the previous sample, though it should be noted that these levels would be high enough to induce overly aggressive behavior in a patient. Our staff geneticist has been completely baffled by what she observed in the chromosomes of the infected cells, she says that the K chromosomes observed in the previous samples, begin to from almost immediately after the virus assumes control of the cell. This should be impossible according to everything we know about molecular biology, yet it has been confirmed across multiple tests. Based on the speed at which these new structures form and speed at which the virus reproduces, she believes that K chromosomes can become present throughout 90% of the host’s body in as little as 12 hours. She also notes that that process causes an auto immune response that would result in an unbearable amount of pain that would exacerbate the patient’s aggressive behavior.
The blood culture gave the most interesting results of all of the tests, as it was the only test that confirmed our suspicions about genetic manipulation. After the blood had been cultured and another Northern Blot performed, the same 4 unknown types of RNA were found in all three samples. However contrary to our previous hypothesis these unknown types of RNA are all originating from the same virus, meaning not only does the virus have the ability to alter the host cell’s DNA but it has the ability to rewrite its own. This makes formulating a vaccine near impossible and given the virulent nature of this virus should it ever become wide spread the results could be apocalyptic in nature. Our virologist was extraordinarily helpful in understanding the nature of this virus; he claims to have previously encountered the theoretical frame work for creating such a virus last year at a conference in New York though he cannot recall the presenter’s name.
The virus present in all three samples appears to be very closely related to the Coronavirus though it is much more virulent than its predecessors. When we compared it to the viruses from the previous samples (the one from the east coast of the USA and the Romanian sample) we can see that the current virus is the latest iteration in a ongoing project or possibly the culmination of some ones research. This virus was extremely virulent as it was next to impossible to deactivate and contain. It not only was able to infect any cell we introduced it to but, it was also able to turn its host cell into a kind of anti white blood cell, devouring any healthy cells that it came into contact with. It was also able to change its method of transmission depending on its environment. Meaning if it came into contact with water, it would spread via ingested water, if you removed the water it becomes airborne, and if it infected a subject it would spread via bodily fluids (blood, saliva, sexual fluids etc.)All of the mice we exposed to the virus expired in a matter of hours and all of them followed the same cycle. At first their body temperature would steadily rise, and then they appeared to become disoriented (they would aimlessly wander around their cage). Next black mucus would begin to excrete from their eyes and their hair follicles. We have previously observed this cycle with other viruses but this new iteration seems to have added a phase. Now instead of simply dyeing the mice seek out other mice and they will either begin to injure themselves or attack the other mice. It is almost as if they were attempting to spread the virus.
It should also be noted that the staff needed to use an experimental plasma furnace to destroy the mice as the normal furnace was not hot enough to destroy the bodies. The blood samples were destroyed par the clients request and all materials that have come in to contact with the samples have been replaced as well (we have billed the listed account as instructed).Thus concludes our analysis of the blood samples. While we appreciate the clients continued business, based on our experience with this particular set of samples and their potency, we will no longer be accepting further samples from this client.