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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
10:12
Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification of Prions
Published on: November 7, 2012
Prion disease and medical devices
K Antloga1, J Meszaros, P S Malchesky
1STERIS Corporation, Mentor, Ohio 44060-1834, USA.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|December 8, 2000
Summary
Prion proteins cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and resist standard sterilization. A peracetic acid-based sterilant shows promise for effectively inactivating these infectious agents on medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Infectious diseases
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prions are novel proteinaceous infectious agents linked to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
- Host-produced noninfectious prion proteins can adopt abnormal, pathogenic conformations.
- Standard decontamination and sterilization methods are often ineffective against prions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical practices for handling suspected prion cases.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a peracetic acid-based sterilant for prion inactivation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical practices.
- Evaluation of a peracetic acid-based sterilant's effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Iatrogenic transmission of prions via medical devices has been documented.
- Peracetic acid-based sterilant demonstrated potential for prion inactivation.
Conclusions:
- Effective prion decontamination is critical due to risks of iatrogenic transmission.
- Peracetic acid-based sterilants may offer a safe and effective solution for medical device prion inactivation.
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