Chapter 19, Problem 6CTQ

a.

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The risks of using nondisposable medical equipment in the treatment of the prion disease.

Concept introduction:

Prions are the infectious proteins that attack the mammalian nervous system. These proteins do not contain the genetic material. The spongiform encephalopathies are degenerative diseases of the nervous system caused due to the misfolding of the normal prion proteins.

b.

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Whether any of the attendees will be at risk for developing the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the future when a deer infected with the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies served during an annual wild-game dinner.

Introduction:

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are degenerative diseases of the nervous system caused by the prions. Prions are the proteinaceous infected particles that do not contain genetic material. In humans, TSEs include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), kuru, fatal familial insomnia, and Gerstmann-Straussler- Scheinker disease (GSS). Like scrapie, TSE also occurred in animals such as sheep and goats.