Concordance Infection
Starfleet Medical: Messier 4 Office
Classification: Concordance Nueral Infection
Base: Genetically Engineered Eumycota (Concordi chytridion mortis)
Infection Vectors: Transfer Of infected Fluids Or infected Material, Respiration Of Spores (Both from fungus and symptomatic patients)
BioHazard Level: BL5, no known cure or treatment. EXTREME CAUTION
Fungus Description
Grey and dust like in form. Under magnification individual spores resemble the seeds of dandelions, with frilled cilia on their outer cell walls allowing for air circulation systems and currents to speed them on their way. The chitinous outer cell wall is notably thicker than on more common Milky Way species, providing the spore with added longevity under extreme conditions.
Infection Progression
STAGE One: Fungal Infection
Spores enter the body, either through inhalation or through open wounds or fluid transfer. Upon contact, the fungus’s air catching cilia begin to expand out, and under magnification can be seen to be seeking out nearby cells. Upon contact the cilia engulf the cell, coating it in the fungus. The fungus then transfers through the host cell membrane and implants itself within the host.
Through this process, the fungus is able to transfer rapidly to the cardiovascular system and begin to implant within the haemoglobin of Red Blood Cells or other high oxygenating transfer proteins. It is important at this time to point out the host’s immune system is reacting to the infection.
SYMPTOMS: Increased temperature. The protein markers left behind by the digestion of fungal spores by Host immune system can be picked up by Xilosian test patches.
STAGE Two: Neural Invasion
Infected red blood cells have now begun to cycle through the cardiovascular system. Upon reaching the blood-brain barrier, infected Red Blood Cells are still able to transfer oxygen to the brain. But in a process as of yet unknown to Starfleet Medical, the Concordi chytridion mortis is able to force the endothelial cells to select it for crossing into the extracellular fluid of the central nervous system.
Once within the extracellular fluid the fungus begins to spread rapidly, the cilia now guiding the infection throughout the neural mass of the host.
SYMPTOMS: Hiehgtened adrenal response, a-typical behaviour patterns from pre-infected norms.Most noticeably a heightened fear response. Self-imposed paranoia, possible designed trait to keep infected away from aid.
STAGE Three: Implant Construction.
At this stage an apoptosis reaction begins within the fungal infection. The cell walls begin to break down, and the fungus dies. At this point, it has spread out throughout the brain with concentrations within the hypothalamus, limbic, as well as the hippocampus and prefrontal lobe. There is also a noted concentration within the thalamus.
As the fungus decomposes within the brain, new structures begin to assemble. Under electron microscopic analysis these appear to be self-organising nanotubes made of superconductive material. They begin to interconnect, embedding themselves in nearby neurons and other nanotubes. Soon this sub-neural network is complete, tying the disparate infection sites together through the thalamus as a central processing node.
SYMPTOMS: Heightened paranoia, heightened threat responses, irrational anger. Hypertension. Fever. Some cases have shown bleeding from eyes and nose. Possible infection vector?
STAGE Four: Implant Activation.
Once completed the implant activates. The process by which it operates is unknown. The host is able to detect other infected individuals, this is done via the implants direct tap into the olfactory nerves. Air sampling of quarantined personnel have detected chemical traces unique to the infection, and have postulated a heightened sense of smell in infected patients.
By this method the implant is able to guide its new host, allowing infected to be seen as family, friends, a deeply held trust. Whereas the uninfected trigger a rapid threat response. Instances of psychosis and irrational behaviour have been noted.
When isolated and interrogated via holographic means, with the air saturated to 1 part per billion of the chemical markers of the infection, patients have reported a sense of religious euphoria. Some have tried to hang this sensation on to prior belief structures, but others have not. It is postulated that it is this state that has allowed the Concordance to remain a viable whole during its existence as a Messier 4 power.
SYMPTOMS: Religious fixation, psychosis, increased endurance. (48 hours after initial activation patients have been positively confirmed as no longer being infection through spore inhalation. It is possible to be infected by a Stage Four carrier via fluid transfer.)
Cure/Vaccine
At this time work on Canopus Station and USS Sherman Potter is ongoing. A potential vaccine might be possible with further study.
Removal of the implant has been attempted through chemical and direct intervention. The former had no effect, whereas nanomachine intervention on the implant directly resulted in a thermal overload that severely damaged surrounding neural tissue. The patient was placed into a medically induced coma and has remained that way with minimal neural activity. It is theorised this a anti-tampering or self destruct feature.
Other Messier 4 powers have access to vaccines or cures, but as of publishing this advisory, there is no such access to these for Starfleet or Federation Personel.
BioHazard Warning
If suspected of infection place personnel into IMMEDIATE QUARANTINE. Administer Xilos Patch Tests every 15 minutes for one hour. Upon a negative test result, move the patient to being tested every hour for 24 hours. If clear after 24 hours patient can be released.
If at any time during this 24 hour period a test patch returns a positive or partial positive result, the patient is to be immediately sedated and put into stasis. Any contact with patient is to be held via BL5 level precautions. Any suspected exposure MUST be reported, and the testing process implemented.
