Krippin Virus Essay

Measles and Krippin virus stem from the same family but are radically different. Both viruses have a (-)ssRNA genome, as KV is developed from MV. Due to the common origin, there are similarities, however, one of which being developing a cancer treatment for each virus. In KV, the measles virus was genetically modified to target and kill cancer cells. As Alice Krippin states, in 10,009 clinical trials, there were 10,009 cancer-free patients (Lawrence). In Measles, the virus targets cells presenting CD46 receptors, which are presented in large concentration on tumor cells (Russell, 216). KV and measles both have been genetically modified to be cancer treatments, as the Krippin virus itself is the modified strain, and in measles, the MV-CEA and MV-NIS strains are being used in clinical trials (Russell, 222). KV, …show more content…
Transmission modes of the viruses are different, as KV is transmitted either through contact or through the air. These modes of transmission mutated into two strains of KV. Measles is transmitted by being aerosolized in water droplets. It is “contact” spread through a cough, however, this is with viral particles trapped in water droplets, classifying this spread as aerosolized (Laksono, 555). KV can infect humans, dogs, and rats, while measles only infects humans naturally. In the lab, primates can have measles induced for treatment development (Russell, 223). KV presents with rabies-like symptoms, especially in the pre-transformation phases, while measles presents like the flu in early infectious stages. Both viruses affect neurological function, however, KV destroys most neurological and psychological functions in all cases of the infection, whereas measles only effects the neurological functioning with the rare cases with complications (Laksono, 554). KV also presents some natural immunity, with roughly .2% of the world’s population having some degree of immunity. Measles has not been found to have a natural