Pathogen Cards:
Selome Tewoderos
Herpes Simplex Virus
1
(HSV 1) |
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Virus
Taxonomy and Description:
Herpesviridae family
ds DNA, linear, enveloped, icosahedral morphology
Power:
Rapid lytic
replication cycle, causes both oral and genital herpes, can be neurotropic
(attacking the nervous system)
OFFENSE
Attack:
Turns off host
protein synthesis, inhibits splicing of mRNA, blocks apoptosis, can hide genome
in the nucleus of lymphoma and CNS cells
Outcome:
HSV
encephalitis, increases the chance of HIV transmission, can be fatal in
immunocompromised individuals
Speed:
1-14 days
DEFENSE
Vaccine:
Vaccine in trial but has shown to be effective for HSV 2
Behavioral:
Safe
sex (condoms, dental dams), avoid touching cold sore, use of gloves in clinical
settings
Treatment:
Nucleaosidic inhibitors such as Acyclovir to treat and suppress lesions
Game Action
Tag team with HIV to
plot a massive ambush attack on T-cell immunity
One liner
“A long kiss from a
distant lover is sure to stay with you forever even in the cold winter nights”
Picture courtesy of:
www.astrosurf.com/lombry/bioastro-originevie5.htm
Selome Tewoderos
Human Papilloma Virus 2
(HPV
2) |
Virus
Taxonomy and Description:
Papillomaviridae
family ds DNA, naked, spherical, icosahedral morphology
Power:
Can be transmitted to
infants from infected mother during pregnancy causing laryngeal papillomatosis,
not known to be oncogenic
OFFENSE
Attack:
The virus integrates
its DNA becoming episomal in epithelial cells, uses the cell polymerase to
replicate, affect the cell-mediated immune response
Outcome:
Genital warts shapped like cauliflower,
Speed:
A
few weeks to a year
DEFENSE
Vaccine:
Available vaccine,
debate on whether men or women should be targeted
Behavioral:
Pap smears are best to
detect HPV, female condoms might provide better protection from skin-to-skin
contact, monogamy,
Treatment:
Freezing the warts
with liquid Nitrogen, repeated treatment with Podofilox to chemically damages
the wart, Imiquimod to stimulate the body's immune system, surgery to treat
early cancer.
Game Action
The person with the
card has to come up with three viruses that resemble the shape of any fruits or
vegetables
One Liner
“Honey, I bought some
frozen cauliflowers from Wart-mart”
Picture courtesy of:
bilbo.bio.purdue.edu/.../hpv_1L1L2.html
Selome
Tewoderos
Virus
Taxonomy and Description:
Orthomyxoviridae family ss RNA, enveloped, pleomorphic, helical nucleocapsid
morphology Power:
High mutation rate, causes sever
morbidity and mortality among elderly
OFFENSE
Attacks:
mainly damages columnar epithelial cells
in the nasopharynx, hemagglutinin viral proteins bind to sialic acid
facilitating penetration of cell and viral replication.
Outcome:
Cardiopulmonary and upper respiratory
complications including pneumonia
Speed:
1-2 days
DEFENSE
Vaccines:
Current vaccine made from purified and
formalin-inactivated viruses that are grown in embryonated chicken eggs, annual
vaccination is recommended due to high mutation of the virus
Behavioral:
Cover mouth while sneezing, frequent hand
washing, quit smoking, and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Treatment:
Prophylactic antiviral medications such
as rimantadine or amantadine
Game Action
The player with the influenza card should
pick vaccination card every round and do the chicken dance
One Liner
“An influential virus like you should
only travel by air”
Picture courtesy of:
http://www.amicopediatra.it/genitori/Vaccinazioni/Vaccinazioni-influenza.htm
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