Amyloidosis: a global problem common in Papua New Guinea.

The increase in different precursor proteins that have been shown to form amyloid fibrils and the identification of common properties have not yet led to any unifying theory or mechanism for the pathogenesis of amyloidogenesis. Papua New Guinea holds a unique place in the story of amyloidosis and in this article we review the current status of amyloidosis research indicating how this relates to those forms relevant to Papua New Guinea. This review concentrates on secondary reactive amyloid (AA), which is found in the highest frequency in the world in parts of Papua New Guinea, and kuru, in which the amyloid protein itself is infectious. The history, pathogenesis and future prospects for these diseases are discussed in the light of what is known about other forms of amyloidosis.