How are prions transmitted?

Prions can be transmitted through various routes. Ingesting contaminated food products, such as beef infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is one common method of transmission. Medical procedures involving contaminated surgical instruments or tissue grafts can also spread prions. Additionally, certain prion diseases can be inherited due to genetic mutations in the prion protein gene. Transmission through blood transfusions or organ transplants from infected donors has also been reported. The prions are resistant to conventional sterilization processes, making them particularly challenging to manage.