Prion transmissibility

[Duane James Funk]

	I read this Canadian pres article this moring about the 
transmissibility of prions.  This statement was made during the Krever 
inquiry into Canada's tainted (eg. HIV and HepB and HepC) blood system.
	It seems one Dr. Nathan Kobrinsky said a 'virus' called Jakob 
Creutzfeld could be transmitted via blood transfusions.  To support his 
point he lists two patients in the US who died of Creutzfeld Jakod 
Disease (CJD) without receiving hGH or corneal transplants or the like.

I have seceral quesitons:

1. I assume the paper made an error saying CJD is caused by a virus and 
not Dr. Korbinsky not knowing about prions.

2. If I am not mistaken there are familial forms of CJD where the prion 
protein gene becomes mutated, correct?

3. Finally, and most importantly, this business about blood 
transmission.  From the papers I have read I think to myself 'Not Bloody 
Likely' (Pun intended).  Aren't prions transmitted primarily in neural 
tissue.

Any comments. answers?

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__________________________________________________________________
                                Duane                  
	University of Manitoba; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
                      umfunk15 at cc.umanitoba.ca