Question

Read the following statements.
A. Prions are inactivated by steam autoclaving at $\geq 121^{\circ}$C after treatment with 1M NaOH.
B. Prions contain genetic materials DNA or RNA.
C. Prions are extremely resistant to conventional disinfection and sterilization methods.
D. Prion infection do not elicit any detectable specific humoral or cellular immune response.

• A. A, C and D only
• B. A, B and D only
• C. B, C and D only
• D. A, B and C only

Hint:

Prions = protein-only infectious agents, no DNA/RNA, resistant to sterilization, and cause no immune response.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Defining prions.
Prions are infectious proteins devoid of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA).
These misfolded proteins are responsible for neurodegenerative conditions, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Step 2: Evaluating provided statements.
- (A) Accurate: Prions are rendered inactive by potent treatments, such as NaOH followed by autoclaving.
- (B) Inaccurate: Prions are exclusively proteinaceous and do not contain DNA or RNA.
- (C) Accurate: Their remarkable resistance to standard sterilization protocols sets them apart.
- (D) Accurate: The absence of a specific immune response complicates diagnostic efforts.
Step 3: Determination.
Therefore, statements A, C, and D are accurate, while B is not.