final exam prion diseases

Question 1

transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE)

• causative agent? what is this made up of?
• what is unique about this disease?
• important symptoms?
• how is this spread?
• when does creutzfield jakob occur? what is it?

Answer 1

• prions; proteins
• all forms are fatal
• muscle jerks, behavioral changes, deteriorating intellectual function, death within a year
• corneal transplants or contaminated surgical instruments
• over 45; spongey brain