"In this volume, leading scientists deal with the medical, scientific and public health questions that prion infections raise. Besides the 'prion or virus' discussion, the structures of prions and their molecular biological analysis as well as the questions of strain variations and species barrier are presented. The etiological, clinical and diagnostic aspects of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are given special attention. The epidemiology of human and animal prion diseases, disease management and possibilities for inactivation of prions are discussed from a public health perspective. Directed at scientists, physicians and the public health sector, the monograph uses a multidisciplinary approach to present the latest findings on prion infection"--Jacket.