Even if it has not been documented that person-to-person transmission of vCJD does occur, as the body distribution of abnormal prion proteins is wider in vCJD than in sporadic CJD, there could be a real possibility that vCJD may be transmissible through surgical procedures, especially those involving lymphoreticular tissues as well as tissues of the central nervous system. Normal decontamination and sterilization procedures do not destroy abnormal prion proteins. The current prion inactivation procedure, treating with sodium hydroxide followed by several circles of high pressure autoclaving, is not suitable for delicate instruments such as flexible endoscopes and optical equipments, since most of those instruments can not be autoclaved and are very sensitive toward corrosive agents.

As a result, the quest for novel prion-decontaminating approaches becomes urgent since the endoscopic procedures are performed extensively in medical practice nowadays.

SMP provides competent services for evaluation of prion decontamination on surgical instruments, from determination of surface cleaning, as well as Westernblot to bioassay of remaining prion on the instrument.