Hello Rita,

Here goes a long and lengthy discussion on CJD, "Mad Cow Disease",
and/or prions.

Did anyone see the newest episode of "Fear Factor" and what their
second challenge consist of.......(eating bovine brains!!What!?!?)

Can you see anyone from the histology profession (as well as any other
normal human being) partaking in this episode?

Is it worth $50,000.00?  Not to me.

Thanks

Can't wait for the responses.......

Donald G. Awbrey, HT(ASCP) QIHC
Image Analysis / Electron Microscopy
donaldawbrey@texashealth.org 



-----Original Message-----
From: Rita Riddle [mailto:RitaR@lexhealth.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 9:59 AM
To: Histology (E-mail)
Subject: Process of tissue with CJD


Need your help,
Does anyone know if any special handling of formalin-fixed brain tissue and
paraffin blocks obtained from patients with  Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is
required by any known standard?  I've read that formalin actually enhances
prion infectivity and that a formalin-formic acid procedure is required for
inactivation of such tissue samples.  Can such tissues be disposed of in the
usual manner?  Thanks

Rita Riddle
Lexington Medical Center
West Columbia, SC
Supervisor of Histo/Surgical Pathology