Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Sickbay – Is it Hot in Here? [TAG: Captain; CMO]

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in Sickbay – Is it Hot in Here? [TAG: Captain; CMO]

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Sickbay – [TAG: Captain; CMO]
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

OOC: All this info is basic and mostly related to what’s “common” across a lot of Earth-bound viruses, so feel free to add and make things interesting! The report is largely unknown, so the creative liberty is all yours. ;) – Trin

(snip!)

Kastarak hummed briefly.

“Do you think the computer is robust enough to run a simulation of how this virus should interact with cells from other species represented on board? I would have preferred direct tissue sampling, though in our quarantine, and given the essence of time, I do not think we could do such tests. I have never run such a simulation, which is why I ask. Are you willing to attempt it?”

Viruses were obligate, intracellular specialists. They predate on a spectrum of recognizable cells, often passively ignoring others. Therefore, this virus threatened non-Romulan cells only if they fell within the virus’ host range. She considered Kastarak’s comment about its resemblance to a family of Earth viruses, Orthomyxoviridae. They were negative-strand RNA viruses that; in the case of Influenza A, they infected mammals and birds. What receptors did they share and in what cells? T’Aria stewed on the thought. Excluding IAV, most influenza viruses targeted respiratory epithelial cells…

“Yes,” T’Aria cleared her throat. “Preliminary data suggest the virus behaves like and induces an influenza-like syndrome. Therefore, we must first analyse a sample of mucus to isolate proteins that enable the virion to bind to host receptors. We will then use data supplied from the LCARS to examine interactions between the virion and the respiratory epithelium cells of different species serving aboard Chernov. I expect the procedure thereafter is intuitive.”

“Otherwise, I agree with you. I shall inform the captain, and my colleagues on the other side of this wall,” said Kastarak, pointing from outside his office to the main Sickbay lobby.

“But first, I need to perform my duties as your physician.”

T’Aria hummed, rounding the desk to input a series of commands into the terminal to narrow its scope enough to isolate specific proteins in its capsid. Then, snatching another swab, she shoved it up her nose and processed it through the computer. Initial analyses would take several minutes to complete. So, T’Aria pulled up Chernov’s master roster and extrapolated species demographics to cross-reference with the LCARS. She then transferred the REC data to two PaDDs for further inspection.

“Computer, log the following in T’Aria’s medical file with today’s date: Patient arrived at 09:07 hours, displaying symptoms of rhinorrhoea, fatigue, myalgia, tinus pressure. Patient became aware of symptoms upon waking up earlier this morning. Measurements: 251 BPM, blood oxygen saturation peaking at 94%, with a blood pressure of 78/40, and a mean body temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius. Patient had attempted a self-care regimen of antihistamines, which did not alleviate any symptoms. A sample of the mucus showed viral infection. Computer RNA analysis deemed the virus endemic to the indigenous to the planet Romulus, preliminary diagnosis for patient “novel Romulus-originating virus influenza-like syndrome”. Means of transmission of virus unknown. Patient has agreed to stay in quarantine pending analysis of the viral disease’s properties, means of transmission, and danger to crew. End log. I believe that covers it?”

“Commander, may I affix this medical record – no other than this particular one – in the information I send to the captain?”

“You have my permission, Doctor.”

And so he did.

“Computer, send the following message to the captain and the chief medical officer, encrypted: This is Ensign Kastarak, attending physician in room 7 in Sickbay. Room 7 is now under quarantine under regulation [some number] due to suspicion of transmittable disease in the office. Commander T’Aria and I are in the room, and under the same regulation, we will remain in quarantine. We have identified a virus of Romulan origin – that is the origin from the indigenous life and agents from the planet Romulus – that has infected her, and possibly me as well. Commander T’Aria displays mild flu-like symptoms. The virus appears to bind strongly to Vulcan cells. We will be running simulations to see if it will bind to the cells of other humanoid species onboard this ship, though at this preliminary stage there are no indications it poses any danger to non-Vulcan and non-Romulan individuals. More information will come as it will appear. I affix the analyses we have on the novel Romulus-originating virus, and its influenza-like syndrome. Kastarak out.

T’Aria examined the data on her PaDD, pausing only when the computer’s clicks and whirls descended to a high-pitched shrill. Initial results were in. Scooting over, she narrowed her eyes and sifted through its analysis of the viral structure until — there! A glycoprotein. T’Aria peered closer and traced the line, absorbing the data it supplied. The virus appeared to contain a homotrimeric glycoprotein in its outer membrane. Though it did not resemble known hemagglutinins (the proteins associated with influenza), T’Aria wondered if it used a similar fusion mechanism: Clathrin-mediated?

She promptly forwarded the data to Kastarak’s PaDD.

Kastarak nodded as he read the data that T’Aria showed him. The lack of haemagglutinin was curious, though not entirely unexpected in this strange new type of influenza. Very little was known to Kastarak with regard to Romulan native life. Romulans, a subspecies of Vulcans, had evolved on Vulcan, like Vulcans, and had only in the last two millennia migrated to Romulus and colonized it. The planet already had native life – but as far as Kastarak could ascertain none such sentient (though another planet in the system, Remus, did). It was difficult to assess the biology of a planet of which there was so little biological data.

“Do you think the endocytosis might be clathrin-mediated?” he asked-.

“Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a common pathway for influenza viruses,” T’Aria observed. “We are disadvantaged by our ignorance surrounding Romulus’ biology. Andorian and Levodian influenza, however, are well documented. As are flus of Kamaraazite and human origin. We may substitute their common pathology for the virus, adjusting for the dissimilarities we uncovered in our analyses. I suggest we test this against Vulcan epithelial cells to confirm its classification, then examine interactions with other species’ cells.”

“Computer, send the following message to Lt Symar, in his private capacity: Sir – it appears you, in some way, might have been exposed to this virus due to your team’s encounter with Romulans. I strongly urge you to avoid other people, and test yourself privately, if you have that option, for the novel Romulus-originating virus. The notes in the previous message should give you enough information to make a diagnosis.“

After finishing all this messages, Kastarak’s voice became hoarse, and he experienced some tension in his forehead.

He scanned himself with the medical tricorder. It showed an alleviated temperature of 0.8 degrees. Had he already been infected? Or was this stress?

“I believe I have taken ill, myself”, he said flatly. “The incubation period appears short. The time is now 09:45.”

T’Aria blinked the grogginess from her eyes and glanced at Kastarak, a pensive frown forming on her lips. Thirty-eight minutes. Earth influenza viruses had a median 1.28 R-value, with symptoms appearing between 12 and 96 hours. Their proximity negated speculations about its virulence but Kastarak’s symptoms implied incubation was short, and that was concerning.

Kastarak then stuck a swab up his nose, then in his throat, and analysed the swab in the computer.

“Yes, commander.”, he sighed, taking the opportunity of masking his slight irritation at this turn of events with a respiratory response aligned with symptoms of flu. “I have been infected by the same virus as you.”

Kastarak sat down.

– Ensign/Dr Kastarak

“What symptoms are you experiencing?” T’Aria traversed the space between them, pausing briefly to synthesize a cocktail identical to the one he prescribed her, and sat beside him. “I noticed you also took a scan. What did the tricorder reveal?”

“I feel cold,” Kastarak replied plainly, “and a little tired. Other than that, and a slight soreness in the throat, no other symptoms right now.”

T’Aria noted his symptoms, weighing them against hers from that morning. They were too alike to dismiss. Mild hypothermia, fatigue, soreness of the throat - those marked the onset of the syndrome. “This contains a mild analgesic,” she offered the hypospray, “should you require immediate relief.”

“I might be getting the chills soon. I have a fever of 0.8 degrees, but I am colder than before. Let’s monitor how fast the temperature rises. What’s your temperature now? Has it changed?”

She rose and approached the synthesizer, plugging in a request for tea and honey. Analgesics and antipyretics worked wonders under emergent conditions, but T’Aria found there were few things more healing than tea. The synthetic replicas of naturally occurring compounds in the leaves and honey worked to soothe biting symptoms, while the water introduced warmth to a cold body. Relief was temporary but enough to allow them scientific liberty without risking health.

“This should help with the chills,” she offered a cup and moved to snag a tricorder, consulting the time. “34.2 C at 0907 hrs,” she turned the wand inward and scanned her vitals, “34.6 C at 0953 hrs. Our temperatures are increasing at an average rate of 0.015 C per minute.”

“The initial analysis revealed a homotrimeric glycoprotein in the virion’s outer membrane,” she after their conversation faded. “We see a similar protein in influenza viruses across multiple vertebrate species, generally as a subtype of haemagglutinin. We know HA proteins bond with sialic acid on the surface of hosts cells. Until we run the simulation,” she nodded to the computer terminal, “we will not know whether this virus targets similar receptors.”

“Once we input the data from our analysis,” she inputted a few commands, “then we begin running simulations of host-parasite interactions. Are you prepared to begin?”

— T’Aria

Kastarak felt excited – perhaps the emotion was a symptom of the flu, a worsened ability to cast it aside – but he did cast it away just seconds later.

“I am prepared. You lead the way, doctor. You seem to have more experience in analysing novel viruses. I will assist.”

– Ensign Kastarak (physician)

“Of… ach-” T’Aria yanked her shoulder back to sneeze into her elbow, “…course.”

“Computer,” she gestured Kastarak to the terminal as it beeped in acknowledgement, “prepare URV simulation against a Vulcan respiratory epithelial cell.” The computer constructed a tiny (about 130nm) virion of elliptical shape studded with neuraminidase and unknown glycoproteins. “Please stain enzyme proteins red and glycoproteins blue. Highlight Vulcan receptors. Magnify 250%.”

T’Aria turned to Kastarak, whose excitement she detected only peripherally, “would you like to do the honours?”

— Dr. T’Aria