Abstract
The subacute spongiform virus encephalopathies (transmissible virus dementias or unconventional virus infections) are amyloidoses of brain caused by infectious amyloid proteins derived from normal host precursors by nucleated conformational transition to a more stable cross-β-pleated lower energy state. We now call these diseases—scrapie, kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS), fatal familial insomnia (FFI), transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME), chronic wasting disease (CWD), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)—transmissible cerebral amyloidosis. Normal aging of the brain, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementias of Down syndrome are nontransmissible amyloidoses based on a different precursor protein.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Gibbs CJ Jr, Amyx HL, Bacote A, Masters CL, Gajdusek DC. Oral transmission of kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie to nonhuman primates. J Infect Dis 1980;142:205–208.
Kuroda Y, Gibbs CJ Jr, Amyx HL, Gajdusek DC. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in mice: persistent viremia and preferential replication of virus in low-density lymphocytes. Infect Immun 1983;41:154–161.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gajdusek, D.C. (1996). The Potential Risk to Humans of Amyloids in Animals. In: Gibbs, C.J. (eds) Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. Serono Symposia USA Norwell, Massachusetts. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2406-8_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2406-8_1
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7527-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2406-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive