ARS | Publication request: Experimental transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (scrapie, chronic wasting disease, transmissible mink encephalopathy) to cattle and their differentiation from bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 12, 2008
Publication Date: October 8, 2008
Citation: Hamir, A.N., Kunkle, R.A., Richt, J.A., Greenlee, J.J., Nicholson, E.M., Kehrli, Jr., M.E. 2008. Experimental Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease, Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy) to Cattle and their Differentiation from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy [abstract]. Prion 2008. p. 65.

Technical Abstract: Background: Experimental cross-species transmission of TSE agents provides valuable information for identification of potential host ranges of known TSEs. This report provides a synopsis of TSE (scrapie, CWD, TME) transmission studies that have been conducted in cattle and compares these findings to those seen in animals with BSE. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to determine if the TSE agents (scrapie, CWD, TME) could be transmitted to cattle and to provide information about clinical course, lesions and suitability of currently used TSE diagnostic procedures for detection of these agents in cattle. Methods: Generally 6-month-old bull calves were obtained and assigned to inoculated and control groups. Inoculated calves were housed in a Biosafety Level 2 isolation barn at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Ames, Iowa. Calves were inoculated intracerebrally with 1 ml of a 10% TSE brain inoculum. Results: Results of various TSE cattle experiments with intracerebral inoculation of scrapie, CWD and TME will be documented. Discussion: It was concluded that: 1. All three TSEs agents (scrapie, CWD and TME) are capable of propagating in cattle tissues when administered intracerebrally. 2. All three TSEs can be distinguished from each other and from BSE when inoculated intracerebrally by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques.