NR AWEB
AU Dickinson,J.; Murdoch,H.; Dennis,M.J.; Hall,G.A.; Bott,R.; Crabb,W.D.; Penet,C.; Sutton,J.M.; Raven,N.D.H.
TI Prionzyme, a new enzymatic approach to the decontamination of surgical instruments and contaminated animal waste products
QU International Conference - Prion 2006: Strategies, advances and trends towards protection of society - 3.10.-6.10.2006, Torino, Italy, Lingotto Conference Centre - Poster sessions SA-03
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB The emergence of variant CJD (vCJD) has raised concerns that there may be significant numbers of people incubating the disease at a pre-clinical or sub-clinical level. Since (v)CJD is transmissible by surgery, transplant and probably by blood transfusion, and the agent(s) responsible is largely unaffected by standard sterilisation procedures, there are important implications for public health. Working with Genencor International we have developed a novel enzyme-based process for prion inactivation. After screening a wide range of proteases, a genetically engineered subtilisin variant was identified, which under alkaline conditions, eliminated BSE-301v in vitro and reduced infectivity by more than 7-logs in a VM mouse model. This enzyme, termed Prionzyme, has recently been independently certified for use for prion inactivation by an EU notified body. The studies have been extended to look at a model of BSE inactivation in complex biological samples (meat-and-bone meal to mimic contamination of animal waste products). These studies also show very significant reduction in infectious titres suggesting that a protease based approach is suitable for treating potentially TSEcontaminated waste material. The results will be discussed with respect to the development and implementation of novel methods for inactivating TSE agents, focusing on the sterilization of surgical instruments. The studies will be related to other ongoing work on prion inactivation within the TSE Research group at the HPA.
AD J. Dickinson, H. Murdoch, M.J. Dennis, G.A. Hall, J.M. Sutton, N.D.H. Raven: TSE Research group, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK; R. Bott, W.D., Crabb, C. Penet: Genencor International, 925, Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA. Email: mark.sutton@hpa.org.uk
SP englisch
PO Italien