Detection of PrPSc in Infected Sheep Livers
Author Information
Author(s): Everest Sally J., Ramsay Andrew M., Chaplin Melanie J., Everitt Sharon, Stack Michael J., Neale Michael H., Jeffrey Martin, Moore S. Jo, Bellworthy Susan J., Terry Linda A.
Primary Institution: Department of Pathology and Host Susceptibility, Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Hypothesis
Can PrPSc, a marker for prion disease, be detected in the liver of sheep infected with scrapie and BSE?
Conclusion
PrPSc was found in the livers of 89% of sheep naturally infected with scrapie and 100% of sheep challenged with BSE.
Supporting Evidence
- PrPSc was detected in the liver of 89% of sheep naturally infected with scrapie.
- 100% of sheep challenged with BSE showed PrPSc in their liver.
- PrPSc was localized to isolated cells in the liver, likely Kupffer cells.
Takeaway
The study found that a lot of sick sheep have a harmful protein in their liver, which could be a problem for food safety.
Methodology
Liver samples from infected and control sheep were analyzed using ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.
Limitations
The study did not explore the long-term implications of PrPSc presence in the liver for food safety.
Participant Demographics
Sheep aged between 20 and 30 months, with specific PrP genotypes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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