Overview of Prion Diseases (Online Course)

(based on 672 customer ratings)

Authors: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB); Kwi Simmons, MT(AAB)
Reviewer: Judi Bennett, MT, BSM

This course includes an overview of the function of prion proteins and the differing theories as to how prions cause several different neurodegenerative diseases. The causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious and classical prion diseases will be explored, as well as the recommendations for safe handling of blood and body fluid specimens from individuals infected with prion diseases.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

Objectives

Differentiate between prion proteins and prions.
Discuss the function of prion proteins and explain how prions effectuate several neurodegenerative diseases.
List several theories advocating causes for prion infections.
Discuss the causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious prion diseases and four types of classical prion diseases.
Restate the World Health Organization’s clinical laboratory recommendations for the handling of blood and body fluid specimens from individuals infected with prion diseases.

Customer Ratings

(based on 672 customer ratings)

Course Outline

What are Prions?

Prion Proteins
Prions
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs)

Theories Regarding Prion Infection

Research
Theories
Hypothesis
Multi-component Hypothesis

Symptoms and Histopathology of Prion Disease

How do prions kill?
Hypotheses and Theories on the Killing Mechanisms of Prions
Amyloid Fibers and Glial Cells
Signs and Symptoms of Prion Disease
Summary of Both Human and Non-human Prion Disease Forms: Major Neuropathological Features and Etiology

Infectious Prion Diseases

Kuru
Clinical Presentation: Kuru
Scrapie
Clinical Presentation: Scrapie
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)/Mad Cow Disease
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)/Mad Cow Disease: Statistics
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Clinical Presentation and Relationship to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Statistics and Prevention
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Safeguards

Other Human Prion Diseases

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): Sporadic Versus Iatrogenic
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI)
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI): Clinical Presentation
Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease (GSS)
Prion Diseases and Prion Concentration

Laboratory Safety

Safety Precautions
Infection Control Strategies
Autopsy in Suspected or Known Cases of Prion Disease

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

References

References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Basic to intermediate

Intended audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, technicians, histotechnologists, and histotechnicians working in the clinical or pathology laboratory. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science students, histology students, and pathology residents.

Author information: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) is Laboratory Director & Director of Laboratory Operations, Quest Diagnostics-Valdosta RRL. Dr. Pendergraph is the laboratory director for Quest Diagnostics in Valdosta, GA and Miller County Hospital in Colquitt, GA. Dr. Pendergraph received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, his PhD in medical parasitology and mycology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Kaplan University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. Dr. Pendergraph serves on the advisory committee for medical technology program at Thomas University. He is licensed as a laboratory director in the States of Georgia and Florida.

Kwi Simmons is employed at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and is certified as a medical technologist by the American Association of Bioanalysts. She received her degree in medical technology from Thomas University, Thomasville, Georgia.

Reviewer information: Judi Bennett is a program director for MediaLab, Inc. During her 30 year career as a medical technologist, she has served as a senior system analyst, laboratory manager, Point-of-Care coordinator, microbiology supervisor, and generalist. Judi has been a speaker at various LIS, AMT, and CLMA conferences and has been published in CLMA magazine.

Course description: This course includes an overview of the function of prion proteins and the differing theories as to how prions cause several different neurodegenerative diseases. The causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious and classical prion diseases will be explored, as well as the recommendations for safe handling of blood and body fluid specimens fro