kuru /ku·ru/ (koo´roo) an infectious form of prion disease with a long incubation period found only in New Guinea and thought to be associated with ritual cannibalism.
kuru
ku·ru (k r  )n. A progressive, fatal spongiform encephalopathy, probably caused by a slow-acting virus, that is endemic to certain peoples of New Guinea and may be transmitted through cannibalism. |
kuru
[ko̅o̅′ro̅o̅]
Etymology: New Guinea, trembling with fear
a slow, progressive, fatal infection of the central nervous system that was endemic to natives of the New Guinea highlands. The incubation period could be 30 or more years, but death usually occurred within months of the onset of symptoms. It was characterized by ataxia and decreased coordination progressing to paralysis, dementia, slurring of speech, and visual disturbances. Disease was transmitted by ritual cannibalism of brain tissue during funeral rites. No new cases have been recorded since cessation of the cannibalism. This disease is a model for prion diseases such as BSE and variant CJD.
kuru
a chronic, progressive, uniformly fatal central nervous system prion disease of humans probably resembling the scrapie agent of sheep, and transmissible to nonhuman primates; seen only in the Fore and neighboring peoples of New Guinea. Believed to be transmitted by cannibalism.
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