Answer to Question #93354 in Microbiology for Kylie

Question

Describe the morphology, mode of transmission and pathogenesis of the following
infectious pathogens:

Proteinaceous infectious agent

Answer 1

Morphology- The protein that prions are made of (PrP) is found throughout the body, even in healthy people and animals. However, PrP found in infectious material has a different structure and is resistant to proteases, the enzymes in the body that can normally break down proteins.

Mode of transmission- prions can spread from one organism to another.Oral uptake is the most common natural form of transmission. Humans have also become infected through blood transfusions, human hormone injections, and surgery with contaminated instruments.

Pathogenesis- Prion diseases can affect both humans and animals and are sometimes spread to humans by infected meat products. The most common form of prion disease that affects humans is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.