Item Number: SCP-653
Classification: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: All captured samples of SCP-653 are to be stored in a cryogenic freezer in Laboratory L-135-1, requiring a Level 2 clearance to handle. During study, all researchers approved for SCP-653 must be accompanied at all times by at least one other Level 2 researcher. Basic air filtration masks may be used in lieu of a hazmat suit. No sample of SCP-653 is to be tested for greater than 3 days on any one test subject without approval from a senior researchers. In the event of accidental contamination, Labaratory L-135-1 must be immediately decontaminated via protocol XH-2 and affected researchers kept in observation for a minimum period of 3 days.
Description: SCP-653 is a protozoa of the Sarcocystidae family, resembling small worm-like creatures approximately 5 7 micrometers in length. This particular species of Sarcocystidae was unidentified until Incident 1-653-A in the suburbs of ██████████, ████████████. It is estimated that after Incident 1-653-A, approximately 0.23% of the American population is infected with SCP-653.
SCP-653's behavior resembles Toxoplasma gondii in that it inhabits existing cells, replicating inside them until the host cell bursts. SCP-653 has somehow refined this process to startling efficacy, resulting in an explosive growth of SCP-653 within 3 days after a host is initially infected. Details of its reproductive process can be found in Experiment Log 653-2a.
Early symptoms of infection by SCP-653 include verbal anomalies, occasional muscle spasms, erratic eye movement, strange █████████████, and psychological problems such as depression. These symptoms increase in frequency and duration over time, at first being only intermittent. EEGs suggest that the verbal defects are neurological in origin and therefore would also extend to mediums such as writing or word processing. If the infection is not under control in four days (estimated 65% success rate), the infected person will ██████ ██████████, exhibiting more intense [DATA REDACTED] at approximately seven days.
Experimentation has not been able to determine the origin of verbal anomalies common to all infected with SCP-653, such as [DATA REDACTED]. Testing to determine possible telepathic effects is currently awaiting approval.
All of these symptoms are never noticed by the affected and even when attention is called to them by a third party, the affected tends to shrug them off as a 'brain fart'. Curiously, when two infected individuals are together, they do not take notice of the other's symptoms even if the two have different strains of the parasite.
Additional Notes: SCP-653 shows a remarkable ability to evolve. Even when separated from a host, significant variance can be found in colonies as young as two generations. Generally this evolution results in the cells becoming longer, and it is currently unknown why SCP-653 would repeatedly select for a larger version of itself over time. Another result of SCP-653's evolution is that it does not require a specific species of host to survive like Toxoplama gondii does. Even when introduced to a completely different species, SCP-653 can be seen effectively 'brute-forcing' the genetic code necessary to survive by replicating rapidly in a short period of time. It appears to be resourceful as well, cannabalizing the failed iterations and occasionally cell matter nearby for energy to continue replication.
Researcher Note:
Due to the possibility of its mutations getting out of hand if left unchecked, I am updating SCP-653's containment procedures to be cryogenically frozen whenever possible.
—Dr. ████████
