How is a prion Disease different from viral and bacteria diseases?
Viruses and bacteria are microorganisms that contain genetic material. They do not generate spontaneously. In contrast, Prion Disease is caused by a change in shape of a cellular protein. The resulting pathogenic prion proteins begin to recruit and change normal proteins into an abnormal shape. In older humans, this occurs at a rate of 1/1,000,000 human cases per year. The abnormal prion protein can also come from an outside source. 3. Where are normal prion proteins found? – Normal prion protein is widely distributed throughout the body, but has its highest concentrations in brain, nerve, and related tissue. 4. What is a prion disease? – Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE’s) are a family of rare progressive neurological disorders that affect both humans and animals. They have long incubation periods (period of time between infection and observable disease), and characteristic spongiform (sponge-like) changes in the brain. a. The first TSE was identified
