Susan C. Baker throughout the body. This disease also affects skin, mucous membranes, and the body's lymph nodes. Baker's lab is investigating the possibility of a viral causative agent for the disease. This disease mostly affects children under the age of 5. Causes remain unknown, however it is treatable within days if the symptoms are recognized early enough. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems for the heart. Baker has also worked closely with coronaviruses, the causative agent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. These are viruses that affect mostly the upper respiratory and GI tract of humans and are named because
Meningococcal disease 10 victims of meningococcal meningitis will die; however, about as many survivors of the disease lose a limb or their hearing, or suffer permanent brain damage. The sepsis type of infection is much more deadly, and results in a severe blood poisoning called meningococcal sepsis that affects the entire body. In this case, bacterial toxins rupture blood vessels and can rapidly shut down vital organs. Within hours, patient's health can change from seemingly good to mortally ill. The "N. meningitidis" bacterium is surrounded by a slimy outer coat that contains disease-causing endotoxin. While many bacteria produce endotoxin, the levels produced