Overview of Prion Diseases (Online CE Course)

(based on 295 customer ratings)

Authors: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB); Kwi Simmons, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Judi Bennett, MT, BSM

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This course includes an overview of the function of prion proteins and the differing theories as to how prions cause several different neurodegenerative diseases. The causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious and classical prion diseases will be explored, as well as the recommendations for safe handling of blood and body fluid specimens from individuals infected with prion diseases.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)

Approved through 5/31/2024

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

Approved through 5/31/2024

Objectives

Differentiate between prion proteins and prions.
Discuss the function of prion proteins and explain how prions effectuate several neurodegenerative diseases.
List several theories advocating causes for prion infections.
Discuss the causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious prion diseases and four types of classical prion diseases.
Restate the World Health Organization’s clinical laboratory recommendations for the handling of blood and body fluid specimens from individuals infected with prion diseases.

Customer Ratings

(based on 295 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.

What are Prions?

Prion Proteins
Prions
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs)

Theories Regarding Prion Infection

Research
Theories
Hypothesis
Multi-component Hypothesis

Symptoms and Histopathology of Prion Disease

How do prions kill?
Hypotheses and Theories on the Killing Mechanisms of Prions
Amyloid Fibers and Glial Cells
Signs and Symptoms of Prion Disease
Summary of Both Human and Non-human Prion Diseases
Summary of Both Human and Non-human Prion Disease Forms: Major Neuropathological Features and Etiology

Infectious Prion Diseases

Scrapie
Clinical Presentation: Scrapie
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)/Mad Cow Disease
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)/Mad Cow Disease: Statistics
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Clinical Presentation and Relationship to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Statistics and Prevention
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD): Safeguards

Other Human Prion Diseases

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): Sporadic Versus Iatrogenic
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI)
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI): Clinical Presentation
Kuru
Clinical Presentation: Kuru
Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease (GSS)
Prion Diseases and Prion Concentration

Laboratory Safety

Safety Precautions
Infection Control Strategies
Autopsy in Suspected or Known Cases of Prion Disease

Diagnosis

Diagnosis
Final Thoughts

References

References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate

Intended audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, technicians, histotechnologists, and histotechnicians working in the clinical or pathology laboratory. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science students, histology students, and pathology residents.

Author information: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, his PhD in medical parasitology/entomology and mycology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Purdue University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. He is the director of five laboratories.

Author information: Kwi Simmons is employed as a Clinical Coordinator at Piedmont Macon Hospital. She is certified as a MLS (ASCP) receiving her BS degree in medical technology from Thomas University and her Master of Science degree in clinical molecular genetics from Northern Michigan University.

Reviewer information: Judi Bennett is a program director for MediaLab, Inc. During her 30 year career as a medical technologist, she has served as a senior system analyst, laboratory manager, Point-of-Care coordinator, microbiology supervisor, and generalist. Judi has been a speaker at various LIS, AMT, and CLMA conferences and has been published in CLMA magazine.

Course description: This course includes an overview of the function of prion proteins and the differing theories as to how prions cause several different neurodegenerative diseases. The causes and symptoms of the four types of infectious and classical prion diseases will be explored, as well as the recommendations for safe handling of blood and body fluid specimens from individuals infected with prion diseases.