Already born frail and sickly, an infant Maria’s sudden rapid decline is explained after she is diagnosed with NIDS, (Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome) a spontaneously developing neurological disease that weakens and destroys the immune system.
It is an extremely rare disorder that is thought to be genetically linked, its development resulting from the occurrence of random mutations in the expressions of CD1c and CD141 during the course of a person’s life. What makes the syndrome so dangerous is how the genetic mutation entirely halts Somatic Hypermutation from occurring, rendering the patient totally unable to produce new antibodies. This is thought to be caused by mutations in the dendritic cells that are crucial during the molecular break down of foreign materials and subsequent Antigen Presentation.
Heritability is virtually unknown, as the disorder usually appears early in life and is considered invariably fatal. Although advanced medical research has led to the development of treatments that can act as placeholder immune systems for patients, these only work for a short time, as viruses and bacteria are much more easily able to build resistances towards artificial immune systems than natural ones.
“Post-Infestation Affective Blunting Syndrome. By far the most noticeable symptom is the flat affect—the relative lack of emotional expression—which can create the illusion that the person is genuinely not emotional, but usually that is not the case. I know that it appears Joey isn’t responding to you, but that is an adaptive response for him right now. It is a normal, healthy neurological reaction to the sort of stress... [...] Those sort of affective responses essentially backfire in the presence of a yeerk, because the body cannot fight or run from a threat. So all you get is a body flooded with damaging stress hormones, but not the sort of response those chemicals are intended to elicit. And so the brain learns to shut down attempts at affective expression in order to defend itself from further damage. In theory there is hope that habitual expressiveness can be re-learned, but in the meantime...”
Remus Lupin: Well, well, Sirius. Looking rather ragged, aren't we? Finally the flesh reflects the madness within.
Sirius Black: Well, you'd know all about the madness within. Wouldn't you, Remus?
Sirius Black: Well, you'd know all about the madness within. Wouldn't you, Remus?
—Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (for context, Remus is a werewolf, while Sirius temporarily lost his mind in a Trauma Conga Line after losing his friends and being wrongly convicted as a Fantastic Terrorist)
