http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4s7d.htm
http://www.mad-cow.org/tonsil_test2.html
http://biosafety.msu.edu/current_topic/Prions/prion_program.pdf
http://www.st-marys.nhs.uk/specialist/prion/factsheets/acquiredpdicjd.htm
http://www.neurosci.ucsd.edu/Safety_Docs/UCSD_Prion_FactSheet.htm
http://tis.eh.doe.gov/wph/bseguidelines0102.pdf
http://www.nursingceu.com/NCEU/courses/prions/
1. What are prions? Give examples of their implications to diseases (e.g., mad cow disease). Explain the issues regarding their use and handling. How are prion-based illnesses "cured"?
slide 1
The CDC has setup a system of 4 biolevels.
biosafety level 1 - exposure only to infectious agents that do not ordinarily cause human disease
biosafety level 2 - exposure to infectious agents that can cause disease in humans but whose potential for transmission is limited
biosafety level 3 - exosure to infectious agents that can be transmitted by the respiratory route and which can cause serious infection
biosafety level 4 - exposure to exotic infectious agents that pose a high risk of life-threatening disease and can be transmitted as an aerosol and for which there is no vaccine or therapy
Prions are classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Risk Group 2 Agents requiring Biosafety Level 2 containment. Biosafety level 2 - exposure to infectious agents that can cause disease in humans but whose potential for transmission is limited
Procedures for handling prion-infected materials
1.) Must have valid Biohazardous Materials Use Authorization (BUA) and have approval from institutional biosafety committee before any research can be initiated.
2.) All lab personnel must be informed and aware that prion research is being conducted in the lab.
3.) All prion infected material must be kept in a container that is labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the notation “infectious materials”.
4.) No work with prion infected tissues is permitted on the open bench. Special benches must be specially designated for all work involving prion manipulations (e.g., pipetting, harvesting infected cells, etc.)
5.) All tissues, infectious waste and instruments (e.g., specimen containers, knives, blades, cutting boards, and centrifuge tubes) used in the processing of such samples must be decontaminated.
6.) Personnel must wear gloves and gowns at all times while handling tissues which are potentially contaminated. All protective clothing must be removed before leaving the laboratory.
CDC website. "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy". http://tis.eh.doe.gov /wph /bseguidelines0102.pdf
Michigan State University. "Biosafety Considerations for Working with Prions". http://biosafety.msu.edu /current_topic /Prions /prion_program.pdf
University of San Diego. "Prion Research Guidelines". http://www.neurosci.ucsd.edu/ Safety_Docs/ UCSD_Prion_FactSheet.htm
