Kuru Disease: Bridging the Gap Between Prion Biology and Human Health.

Abstract

This article explores the intriguing case of Kuru disease, a rare and fatal prion disease that once afflicted the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. Scientists are still perplexed as to the origins of Kuru because efforts to discover infectious agents like viruses have been ineffective. Initial research revealed similarities between Kuru and scrapie, a neurological disorder that affects sheep, suggesting potential similarities between the two diseases. In further research, experiments in which chimpanzee brain tissue from Kuru patients was implanted led to the development of Kuru-like symptoms in the animals, suggesting a transmissible component to the condition. Furthermore, data collected from epidemiological studies highlights a drop in Kuru transmission, especially after the Fore people stopped engaging in cannibalism, and the disease showed different incubation times that affected persons within particular age groups. Neuropathological tests in the infected brain tissue have found typical intracellular vacuoles, spongiform alterations, and amyloid plaques. According to studies, Kuru susceptibility has been linked genetically to particular PRNP gene variations. Kuru and other prion disorders have few effective treatments currently, underlining the vital need for early identification. Scientists have created sensitive detection techniques to stop the spread of prion diseases and looked into possible inhibitors. Hypochlorous acid, in particular, has shown potential in cleaning processes. Besides making great progress in understanding Kuru, there are still many unresolved issues surrounding its causes, transmission, and management. The terms "kuru disease," "human prion disease," "transmissible spongiform encephalopathies," and "Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome" were used to search the studies; papers unrelated to the review article were removed. Eighty-four articles are included in the review text to fully understand the complexities of this puzzling disease and its consequences for prion biology and human health; additional study is essential.