Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, a group of neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals with the formation of spongiform encephalopathy , which belongs to slow infections and is characterized by damage to the central nervous system , muscle , lymphatic and other systems fatal.

The causative agent of this group of diseases is prions - a special class of infectious agents represented by proteins with an abnormal tertiary structure and not containing nucleic acids. The disease leads to the degradation of mental and physical abilities with the formation of a huge number of holes in the cerebral cortex , in connection with which the brain under a microscope at autopsy resembles a sponge (hence the name " spongy "). The disease disrupts the functioning of the brain: deterioration of memory and coordination progresses, in a person personality disorders occur. In humans, prion diseases include the classic version of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease , its new variant nvCJD, associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy , Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome , fatal familial insomnia , chickens, and recently discovered variable protease-sensitive prionopathy angioplasty . There are a number of such diseases with similar symptoms.