Prion Laboratory Section

The mission of the Prion Laboratory Section (PLS) of the National Microbiology Laboratory is to continually assess, mitigate, and ultimately eliminate the risks to human health posed by infectious prion diseases in Canada, through surveillance, laboratory services, research and education. The PLS provides in vitro testing services to support the diagnosis of prion disease in humans. Accredited testing services include Western blot assay on cerebral spinal fluid samples for the 14-3-3 protein, and genetic sequencing analysis to confirm or exclude the presence of a genetic mutation in confirmed cases of prion disease. In addition, neuropathology consultation is available through a partnership between the PLS and the University of Ottawa. Information on laboratory services is available by calling the Winnipeg laboratory at 204-789-6078, or via a 24-hour toll-free line at 1-888-489-2999.