Presentation 1

1.

Kuru
«
A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his l
iver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
»

2.

The causative agents of Kuru’s disease are prions - abnormally folded (incorrectly laid) proteins.
Their uniqueness is that, unlike viruses or bacteria, they do not contain genetic material (DNA
or RNA) and reproduce, causing the body’s healthy proteins to take the same pathological form.
Normal protein has the correct spatial structure and performs its functions in the nervous
system. The pathological prion has an identical amino acid sequence but a different spatial
configuration. When in contact with normal protein, it transforms it into a copy of itself,
triggering a chain reaction. Accumulation of these defective proteins leads to the death of
nerve cells, transforming brain tissue into spongy mass (hence the term "spongy
encephalopathy").

3.

Symptoms of Kuru’s disease
• The main symptoms develop in stages and include:
• Progressive loss of coordination (ataxia) and severe tremor (tremor);
• Diarrhea, restriction of the movement of eyeballs, palaces, emotional instability with
episodes of pathological laughter that is replaced by apathy;
• in the final stage - inability to sit and swallow, dementia, incontinence, and complete
immobility leading to death from complications.

4.

Treatment
There is currently no effective treatment to stop or cure Kuru’s disease. All therapeutic
measures are exclusively supportive and palliative, and are designed to alleviate the
patient’s condition. This includes:
• Providing nutrition in case of impaired swallowing;
• Prevention of spleen and infections;
• Use of drugs to relieve tremors and muscle spasms;
• Psychological support of the patient and his family.

5.

Prediction and prevention
The prognosis for Kuru’s illness is always fatal. After the first neurological symptoms
appear, death occurs on average within 12-24 months. The immediate cause of death is
usually a secondary complication: aspirational pneumonia, severe dehydration or
infection of large beds.
Prevention
Because the disease was directly linked to specific cultural practices, its prevention
was obvious and effective:
• Ending ritual cannibalism was a key and decisive step.
• Genetic resilience: the Kuru epidemic led to evolutionary selection, as survivors of the
tribe were found to have a natural genetic mutation in the protein gene that
provides near-complete resistance to disease.

6.

Thank you for y
our attention!