Different prion disease phenotypes in cattle from sheep scrapie sources
Author Information
Author(s): Konold Timm, Lee Yoon Hee, Stack Michael J, Horrocks Claire, Green Robert B, Chaplin Melanie, Simmons Marion M, Hawkins Steve AC, Lockey Richard, Spiropoulos John, Wilesmith John W, Wells Gerald AH
Primary Institution: Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Hypothesis
This study investigated the pathogenicity for cattle of two pools of scrapie agents sourced in Great Britain before and during the BSE epidemic.
Conclusion
Cattle inoculated with different pooled scrapie sources can develop different prion disease phenotypes that are not consistent with BSE.
Supporting Evidence
- Nine out of ten cattle from the pre-1975 group and seven out of ten from the post-1990 group developed disease.
- The pre-1975 inoculum produced a uniform disease presentation, while the post-1990 inoculum resulted in more variability.
- Histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used to characterize the disease forms transmitted to cattle.
Takeaway
The study found that cattle can get different types of brain diseases from sheep scrapie, and these diseases look different from BSE.
Methodology
Cattle were inoculated with two pools of sheep scrapie brain material and monitored for disease development and characteristics.
Limitations
The individual sheep agent strain content of the pools was not characterized due to insufficient material.
Participant Demographics
Thirty castrate male Friesian/Holstein calves were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.6
Statistical Significance
p = 0.6
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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