Investigation on the Immune Reactions of SARS-coV in BALB/c Suckling Mice

Wang SY

2004 Vol.20 NO.1

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

The outbreaks of SARS in 2003 had caused global panic and attention. This communicable disease, which is induced by a new pathogenic agent, can produce atypical pneumonia in patients, and when serious, bring about symptoms such as immersive pneumonia and respiratory failure. It is more serious than the known atypical pneumonias caused by viruses or bacteria. It is, therefore, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)(1,2,3,4). The World Health Organization issued the first global alert on March 12, 2003, and officially announced on April 16 that the pathogenic agent of SARS was a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus was then officially named the “SARS-coV”. As the virus is a newly mutated one, there are no antibodies in humans for protection. Once infected, the virulence and pathogenicity could be serious. After some serious pathological changes in lungs such as fibrosis, the patient may die of respiratory failure. Cases were reported in Taiwan in March, and more in April. Some hospitals were forced to close, and several front-line medical and nursing staff in close contact with patients had died. For lack of and incorrect understanding of the disease, the infection had caused upset and panic in the public. It had, however, been brought under control soon by the joint efforts of the government and the people.