How can prions be destroyed

Standard sterilization routines have improved since most of the suspected surgical transmission cases occurred. And it should be heartily emphasized that the number of strongly suspected or confirmed cases of surgical prion transmission is tiny. Many people have been so exposed over the years , a worrying occurrence Scientific American editor Phil Yam wrote about just a few years ago. The enduring infectious power of prions is unsettling all on its own, but some scientists are beginning to suspect something far scarier.

Aggregates of prions form amyloids. But amyloids also form from proteins called amyloid-beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein. You may recognize these names. They, too, are distressingly hard to "kill". The only thing that keeps such amyloids from being considered prions is infectivity. But recently, at least one team of scientists found circumstantial, controversial -- and stomach-churning -- evidence that amyloids from patients with these diseases may be infective.

Prion diseases are rare. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are not. Given the horrifying implications, and in spite of the expense and effort, I think it's time for surgeons to start taking this possibility very seriously. If there's one thing prions have shown me, it's that you should never underestimate the capabilities of the most badass protein polymers on the planet.

The views expressed are those of the author s and are not necessarily those of Scientific American. She has degrees in biology, plant pathology and science writing. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. They have also been found, in much lower concentrations, in various other tissues and fluids. Deer can transmit CWD prions to each other through saliva, urine, and feces.

This has led to restrictions on the feeding and baiting of deer in many states. Whenever deer are congregated, such as at a feed or mineral site, there is increased risk of direct i. Increased direct and indirect contact between healthy and infected deer may amplify disease transmission within a population of susceptible individuals. CWD is considered an insidious disease for a variety of reasons, including the fact that infected deer may look completely normal for over a year before getting sick and eventually dying.

During this time, they continually deposit infectious prions in the environment through their urine, feces, and saliva. A combination of heat — about degrees Fahrenheit — and bursts of unimaginably high pressure — over , psi — showed promise in reducing prion infectivity, at least in processed meats like hot dogs, in research published last year.

And a similar method has become the default process for getting rid of infected animals. Large vat-like machines known as alkaline hydrolysis tissue digesters, one of which Powers' lab operates, can essentially dissolve entire carcasses. Infected material is placed in a solution of potassium hydroxide — also known as caustic potash — for at least six hours, at degrees Fahrenheit and 60 psi, about four times ambient air pressure.

All remains at the end is a sterile brown, syrupy liquid that can be hauled away to compost. How do you get prions? Can Prions be destroyed by autoclaving? What are prions responsible for? Can hydrogen peroxide kill prions? Does UV kill prions? Is mad cow disease caused by prions? Is leprosy caused by prions? Is leprosy bacterial or viral? Previous Article What is the name for medieval architecture?