Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy update and implications for blood safety

Similar levels of infectivity in the blood of mice infected with human‐derived vCJD and GSS strains of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

“…Although epidemiologic searches have not revealed any such transmissions to date, 8 the incubation period for acquired TSEs can be as long as 30 to 40 years, as has been shown for Kuru and iatrogenic CJD, and it is thus not yet possible to assess the eventual occurrence of blood‐related human‐to‐human transmissibility of vCJD.…”

Interaction of prion protein with divalent metals: possible role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration in prion disease model

“…Each of the human forms of the prion disease has very distinct pathologies and symptoms. Whether inherited, transmitted, or sporadic in nature, PrP Sc from the brain of diseased individuals is infectious, and can be transmitted horizontally (Flechsig et al 2001;Hogan et al 1999;Ricketts and Brown 2003;Zobeley et al 1999) sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD); iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD); familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD); variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD); Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS); sporadic Fatal Insomnia (sFI); familial Fatal Insomnia (fFI); Human Growth Hormone (HGH).…”