Preliminary reports on subjects Q-419, abstract.
Subjects are of differing ages, ethnicities, and gender. All subjects present with ravenous hunger, strength, and pain insensitivity. Subject Q-419-B, an adolescent male of asian descent, presented to the lab with a severed spinal cord. Research determined that subject Q-419-B had been bound to a wheelchair due to paraplegia resulting from an injury sustained in young childhood. Medical records show subject completely unable to ambulate, but Q-419-B has demonstrated the ability to move and even walk. Subject was acquired at PS118 and was fully mobile prior to procurement.
Sedation is contraindicated, subjects non-responsive. CT, MRI, and PET scans reveal hyperactivity in the brainstem, with lowered activity in the frontal lobe and neocortex. Communication attempts were unsuccessful. Autonomic nervous system continues to function with lungs, heart, etc all nominal. BP and pulse rate were slightly elevated for all subjects. Subject Q-419-F deserves special mention. This subject sustained injury to her chest prior to procurement, resulting in a non-functional heart. Subject showed no noticeable behavioural differences from other subjects.
Lab results drawn from blood, saliva, and CSF reveal no apparent cause of condition. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses were all negative. Parasitic organisms are also absent. Field reports suggest saliva as a transmission vector. Lab specimens of several species were bitten or injected via syringe with extracted saliva. Transmission did not occur for either group. Volunteers from local prisons were given the opportunity to earn a full pardon in exchange for their cooperation in our experimentation. Human subjects were injected with blood and saliva from Q-419 samples. No behavioural differences. Another human subject was cut with a tooth extracted from Q-419-D, with no behavioural differences. The final subject was bitten directly by Q-419-A, and experienced fever and delirium before succumbing to the same affliction. He is now classified Subject Q-419-G.
Due to the nature of the outbreak, its short incubation period, and its ease of transmission, neutralizing subjects is recommended. Inability to rationalize the nature of the outbreak, its origins, or its pathogenic cause strongly suggests a magical catalyst. In euthanizing Subjects Q-419, it was confirmed that severe trauma to the brain is the most effective means.
Detailed reports on Subjects Q-419 attached, along with lab of specimens taken from the brains of Q-419 subjects are ongoing, and will be presented as an addendum to this preliminary report.