Scientists believe they have solved a key riddle of SARS

[dArKeR]

Scientists may have solved the chemical riddle of why the SARS virus causes such a deadly pneumonia and have developed a simple therapy that promises to decrease the extraordinarily high death rate from the disease, according to a report this week in the journal <>.

SARS spawned an epidemic of illness and fear in 2003, killing nearly 800 people worldwide and shutting down stores, airports, schools, factories and hotels across Asia, the epicenter of the outbreak, for fear that the disease would spread in crowds.

Now researchers working with mice have discovered that SARS, caused by a previously unknown member of the coronavirus family, interferes with a crucial enzyme pathway that regulates body fluid balance. By blocking that enzyme system in the lungs, the virus allows liquid to leak into the air sacs, making them boggy and inefficient.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/07/15/2003263599