Resource Septorus (C. infirmitate)

[lizziie]

[ photo credit: CDC, public domain]
S E P T O R U S
from bacterium C. infirmitate​​

THE DISEASE​

Description
Septorus is a potentially fatal illness caused by infection with the neurotoxin released from the bacteria C. infirmitate. Infection with the toxin causes the weakening of the muscles, lethargy, difficulty speaking, and blurred vision. It does not affect consciousness nor does it cause fever. Death occurs in 5-10% of afflicted individuals, usually only if the respiratory muscles are affected. However, certain individuals are much more highly affected by the illness, though because of a lack of research, they are considered an outlier.

Spread
The disease is spread through bacteria spores, which are common in freshwater sediment (and the water around it), which release a neurotoxin when at low-oxygen levels. It can be consumed through drinking contaminated water, eating food prepared with contaminated water, or enter the body through wounds in the skin. Once inside the body, it releases its toxins. Septorus cannot be spread directly between individuals, and only by water.

Prevention
Septorus can be prevented by not drinking or using water from contaminated sources. The toxin (not the organism) can be destroyed after exposure to heat levels upwards of 85°C (185°F) for 5-6 minutes.

Cure
Those infected with Septorus must seek treatment as soon as symptoms arrive to prevent long-term damage. Septorus is usually treatable with an antitoxin treatment, created from native fish species able to break down the toxin on their own. More severe cases might require the patient to remain on a respirator for several days to a week.

THE BACTERIA​

Description
Corporis infirmitate, or C. infirmitate, is a bacteria native to Belasco. It is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming, motile bacterium with the ability to produce the neurotoxin responsible for Septorus. It has two different types, creatively-named: Type A and Type B. Type A is the toxin-producing variant of C. infirmitate. It releases spores in low-oxygen environments, which in turn release the toxin. It only does this during periods of activity once every seven or so years, and lies dormant the reminder of the time. Type B does also release spores, but they do not produce the deadly toxin. Both types' spores are able to survive adverse conditions, lying dormant until conditions are right. If exposed to high-oxygen environments, the bacteria will die.

Reproduction
C. infirmitate reproduces only during periods of activity. Spores will exit dormancy and begin the process every seven or so years, continuing for several months until they return to dormancy. Reasons for this emergence is currently under study, but it is believed that it is either genetically-coded into the organism or a result of changing environmental factors.

Environmental significance
The bacteria is a major food source for much of Belasco's mircobiotic life. The toxins found in Type A are able to be broken down by many some of fish on Belasco, the result of which spurs on their mating season. It is for this reason that Belasco cannot simply eradicate the bacteria, as it would upset the planet's biosystems.

HISTORY​

Septorus has been around since the colonization of Belasco many millennia ago, though its bacteria was discovered around 8,000 BBY. After determining the nature of the organism, scientists were then able to combat its spread during its septennial activity.

Over the course of its discovery, the bacteria responsible for Septorus has mutated significantly only three times, each in response to filtration methods used to rid water systems of the bacteria. After a filtration method was discovered, cases of Septorus have gone down significantly, and infection is incredibly rare due to government intervention.

The bacteria responsible for Septorus has been outlawed from being removed from the planet, due to one incident of the bacteria being genetically modified to infect another planet's water systems.

Intent: To provide lore on Belasco's septennial pathogen and to describe the characteristics of infection and of the organism for reference and use in roleplay.

Edited format 3/22/21

 

[Logan]

Seems fine enough to me.

Approved.