Hi,

I am just new here...

Concerning "decontamination" of prion protein in CJD brain:


Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1999 Jul 17;143(29):1511-4


[Safety measures for handling laboratory specimen and patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease]

[Article in Dutch]

Van Everbroeck B, Pals P, Cras P.

Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Born Bunge Stichting, laboratorium Neurobiologie, Wilrijk, Belgie.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathy that invariably leads to death. The presumed causative agent, the prion protein, is highly resistant to inactivation and has a long incubation period. Physical contact with CJD patients (as in clinical care) entails no risk of transmission. During procedures such as lumbar puncture where contact with infected material is possible, precautions are necessary. Precautions are: the use of gloves, maximal protection of people who come in contact with contaminated tissue (e.g. pathologist and histological laboratory worker) and transportation of samples in a closed and labelled container. For laboratory research the tissue must be submerged in 92-98% formic acid for 1 hour. All used materials and instruments must be decontaminated properly, using for instance NaOH, NaClO, guanidine thiocyanate or steam autoclaving. If adequate precautions are taken contact with contaminated materials can be safe.

Olga Maximova, M.D., Ph.D.
CBER/FDA
HFM-470
1401 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852-1448
Tel: (301) 827-2852



-----Original Message-----
From: Patsy Ruegg [mailto:pruegg@colobio.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 4:09 PM
To: Anacko, Nancy L.
Cc: 'Server, Histonet'
Subject: Re: cjd brain


it is strong formic acid, 40% i think.
patsy

"Anacko, Nancy L." wrote:

> hi...the neuropathologist here wants to put a WHOLE cjd brain in formic acid
> and he told me that there is a certain dilution the formic acid has to be
> ...........does anyone out there in histonet land know this dilution ?????
> thanks,
> nancy