Role of prions in endodontics -“A Review”

• Author Details:   
• Atul Jain
• Anukreti Agrawal ^*
• Rachana Bahuguna
• Deepa Davis
• Shantwana Singh

Endodontic treatment could result in cross infections, from prions. This could result by transmission as a result of inadequate sterilisation of the previously used endodontic instruments in an infected individual. A review search was carried out online and 47 articles were found. Based on the preselected inclusion and exclusion criteria 22 articles were selected.

The normal prion protein is found throughout the body and is non-infectious. As a result of conversion in the protein structure is transformed to an infectious form. The latter results in various diseases can be carried out. Identification of the prion diseases can be carried out with the help of specific biomarkers, found in tissue or body fluid.

Prion diseases cannot be cured but there progress might be slowed down. The most effective form of treatment for these diseases is prevention of transmission, which could be carried out by proper sterilisation and infection control.

These diseases run a rapid course with majority of patients dying within a year. During endodontic treatment, files used for biomechanical preparation are highly susceptible towards adherence of this entity, owing to their unique configuration. The normal sterilisation process is not adequate to eliminate the infectious form of the prions. Another major source of cross infection is the air retention system in dental and suction unit.
Prion diseases are a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders with no known cure. Adequate precautions inspread of the infection form of prions during endodontic treatment, is the most effective way of preventing these diseases.

Keywords: Scrapie disease, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, Misfolded PrP