Virtual, Virtual, Colorado

June 11 – 14, 2020 (Thursday – Sunday)

Thursday, June 11

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM

Although prion diseases are rare, prionophobia is not, so neuropathologists are often called upon to advise on diagnostic testing for prion diseases, as well as decontamination procedures related to real or perceived encounters with prions. We will address the strengths and limitations of cerebrospinal fluid tests in the assessment of patients with suspected prion disease, as well as how limited tissue may compromise assessment for prion disease. We will then discuss current best practices with regard to prion decontamination. Finally, we will review current data on Chronic Wasting Disease in the United States, and the potential for zoonotic transmission. References: Appleby BS, Rhoads DD, Mente K, Cohen ML. A Practical Primer on Prion Pathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2018 May 1;77(5):346-352. Connor A, Wang H, Appleby BS, Rhoads DD. Clinical Laboratory Tests Used to Aid in Diagnosis of Human Prion Disease. J Clin Microbiol. 2019 Sep 24;57(10). pii: e00769-19. https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cjd/infection-control.html https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/ese.17.15.20144-en Osterholm MT, Anderson CJ, Zabel MD, Scheftel JM, Moore KA, Appleby BS. Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids: Implications for Prion Transmission to Humans and Other Animal Species. mBio. 2019 Jul 23;10(4).