Prion Presentation at the International Conference on Prevention & Infection Control

Dr. Lori Robins, PhD, Biochemist, University of Washington | Bothell School of STEM, is accepted to present a Briotech/UW collaborative abstract on prion inactivation with Dr. Jeff Williams, PhD and Chief Science Officer of Briotech, at the 5^th Annual International Conference on Prevention & Infection Control (ICPIC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The International Conference on Prevention & Infection Control
September 13, 2019

P487 Inactivation of Scrapie Prions and Antimicrobial Properties of Hypochlorous and Hypobromous Acids

Introduction
Infectious prion proteins cause neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans including Mad Cow disease and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, respectively. They have been shown to be transmissible via contaminated instruments, tools, and environmental surfaces and require strong and often hazardous conditions (e.g., 20-40% bleach) for disinfection and sterilization. Recently, we showed that hypochlorous acid (HOCl) causes rapid and high-level inactivation of infectious prions. However, hypobromous acid (HOBr) is known to be more potent than HOCl against some microbes including the polio virus. Both of these hypohalous acids are produced in vivo in response to pathogens. 

Objectives
We characterized solutions of HOCl and HOBr for direct comparisons against scrapie prions and Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger.

Conclusion
Therefore, occasions where shelf life and thermal stability are advantageous, HOCl would be the preferred disinfectant. Alternatively, HOBr tolerance of a wider range of pH conditions and superior efficacy against certain microbes may offer benefits in dealing with other decontamination challenges.

Full Abstract