Wyoming Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Surveillance Results 2014 reported in 2015
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
2014 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance
February 2015
2014 Surveillance:
A total of 1,632 deer, elk, and moose samples were analyzed. Of these
samples, 110 tested positive for CWD representing 83 mule deer, 12 white-tailed
deer, and 15 elk. This year’s surveillance efforts identified seven new deer
hunt areas: 36 near Shoshoni, 84 and 98 east of Rawlins, 97 near Muddy Gap, 116
by Meeteetse, 123 in the Lovell area, and 160 near Lander. Hunt area 108 was the
lone elk area identified (see map below). Of the 1,632 total samples received,
86% were derived from hunter-killed animals, 8% from targeted and 6% from
road-killed deer, elk and moose. The proportion of positive samples in each of
these categories was 5.6% (79/1,403) for hunter-killed, 23% (30/129) for
targeted and 1% (1/100) in road-killed animals. It should be noted that the
majority of road-killed surveillance occurs outside of the known endemic area
for chronic wasting disease.
As of 2005, the Department incorporated moose into the CWD surveillance
program, and in 2008 a positive moose was identified in moose hunt area 23 near
Bedford. Since the initial case, over 750 moose samples have been tested, and to
date, this disease has not been identified again in free-ranging moose. In 2014,
14 hunter-killed, 26 targeted and 13 road-killed moose were tested. For complete
information on CWD in Wyoming please go to: http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/wildlife-1000282.aspx
Subject: Wyoming Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Surveillance Results
2014 102 postive cases as at January 2015
Wyoming Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Surveillance
Results 2014 102 postive cases as at January 2015
2014 CWD Surveillance – Results
1,647 Samples tested (102 positives)
822 Mule deer (72)
186 White-tailed deer (14)
608 Elk (16)
31 Moose (0)
88% Hunter-killed, 6% targeted, 6%
road-killed
SOURCE
January 2015 Commission Notebook
Master 11 CWD Update
2
items
01 CWD Memo.pdf
Jan 9
Sheridan
Todd
02 CWD
Powerpoint.pdf
Jan 6
Sheridan Todd
Section 15. Transportation and Disposal of Deer, Elk and Moose Taken from
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Hunt Areas within Wyoming. It shall be the purpose
of this section to regulate the transportation and disposal of potentially CWD
infected deer, elk and moose carcasses to areas outside of the hunt areas with
CWD and potentially reduce the spread of the disease to other areas in and
outside of Wyoming. Hunters may obtain current CWD information on the
Department’s website at http://wgfd.wyo.gov.
(a) No deer, elk or moose taken or possessed from any hunt area shall be
transported to any other hunt area within Wyoming or to any other state,
province or country except as provided in this section.
(b) Deer, elk and moose carcasses harvested from any hunt area in Wyoming
may be transported within Wyoming to a camp, a private residence for processing,
a taxidermist, a processor, or a CWD sample collection site in Wyoming, provided
the head and all portions of the spinal column remain at the site of the kill or
such parts are disposed of in any approved landfill in Wyoming.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, only the
following parts of any deer, elk or moose harvested from any hunt area in
Wyoming may be transported to any other hunt area in Wyoming: edible portions
with no part of the spinal column or head attached; cleaned hide without the
head; skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain
tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts.
(d) Only the following parts of any deer, elk or moose harvested from any
hunt areas in Wyoming may be transported to other states, provinces or
countries: edible portions with no part of the spinal column or head attached;
cleaned hide without the head; skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of
all meat and brain tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts. Whole deer, elk
and moose carcasses harvested from any area shall not be transported out of
Wyoming.
(e) Nothing in this section shall allow for the removal of evidence of sex
or species required by Section 6 of this regulation.
(f) Nothing in this section shall apply to the transportation or disposal
of deer, elk and moose carcasses by any governmental agency or educational
institution.
2-7
Section 16. Importation or Transportation of Deer, Elk, or Moose Taken From
Identified CWD Areas Outside of Wyoming.
snip...see full text ;
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission
2015 Elk Hunting Regulations
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) is a fatal disease of deer, elk and moose.
Special regulations below were formulated to decrease the spread of the disease.
Details about CWD, where it exists in Wyoming and testing for CWD, can be found
on the Department website.
The Department will be collecting tissue samples at various check stations
and meat processing facilities for CWD prevalence. Hunters wishing to have their
animal tested outside the Department’s surveillance program may have an animal
tested at the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab (WSVL) in Laramie for a fee. Hunters
need to contact the WSVL at (307) 766‐9925 for testing details and cost.
The Department and public health officials recommend not eating any animal
that is obviously ill. Wear rubber/latex gloves when field dressing an animal as
a general precaution against all diseases.
IMPORTATION OR TRANSPORTATION OF DEER, ELK OR MOOSE TAKEN FROM IDENTIFIED
CWD AREAS OUTSIDE OF WYOMING.
(a) No deer, elk or moose taken from within any other state, province or
country within areas designated by the appropriate jurisdictional agency as
positive for CWD in either deer, elk or moose shall be imported into Wyoming
except harvested deer, elk or moose carcasses may be imported or transported
into Wyoming to a private residence for processing, to a taxidermist, to a
processor or to a CWD sample collection site in Wyoming provided the head and
all portions of the spinal column are disposed of in an approved landfill.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Section, only the
following parts of any deer, elk or moose harvested may be imported: edible
portions with no part of the spinal column or head attached; cleaned hide
without the head; skull plate or antlers cleaned of all meat and brain tissue;
teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts that have been cleaned of all meat and brain
tissue.
snip...
TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF DEER, ELK AND MOOSE TAKEN FROM CHRONIC
WASTING DISEASE (CWD) HUNT AREAS WITHIN WYOMING. It shall be the purpose of this
section to regulate the transportation and disposal of potentially CWD infected
deer, elk and moose carcasses to areas outside of the hunt areas with CWD and
potentially reduce the spread of the disease to other areas in and outside of
Wyoming. Hunters may obtain current CWD information on the Department
website.
(a) No deer, elk or moose taken or possessed from any hunt area shall be
transported to any other hunt area within Wyoming or to any other state,
province or country except as provided in this section.
(b) Deer, elk and moose carcasses harvested from any hunt area in Wyoming
may be transported within Wyoming to a camp, a private residence for processing,
a taxidermist, a processor, or a CWD sample collection site in Wyoming, provided
the head and all portions of the spinal column remain at the site of the kill or
such parts are disposed of in any approved landfill in Wyoming.
(c) Except as provided in this subsection (b) of this section, only the
following parts of any deer, elk or moose harvested from any hunt area in
Wyoming may be transported to any other hunt area in Wyoming: edible portions
with no part of the spinal column or head attached; cleaned hide without the
head; skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain
tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts.
(d) Only the following parts of any deer, elk or moose harvested from any
hunt areas in Wyoming may be transported to other states, provinces or
countries: edible portions with no part of the spinal column or head attached;
cleaned hide without the head; skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of
all meat and brain tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts. Whole deer, elk
and moose carcasses harvested from any area shall not be transported out of
Wyoming.
(e) Nothing in this section shall allow for the removal of evidence of sex
or species required by regulation.
(f) Nothing in this section shall apply to the transportation or disposal
of deer, elk and moose carcasses by any governmental agency or educational
institution.
snip...
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s chronic wasting disease (CWD)
surveillance program has found the disease in a new elk hunt area 21
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s chronic wasting disease (CWD)
surveillance program has found the disease in a new elk hunt area.
10/26/2015 3:04:42 PM
Green River - CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and
moose.
Staff at the Game and Fish Department’s wildlife disease laboratory in
Laramie confirmed the presence of CWD in a bull elk harvested on Oct. 7 near
Deep Creek, in elk hunt area 21, which lies about 15 miles northeast of Baggs.
Elk hunt area 21 overlaps with deer hunt area 82 where Game and Fish documented
CWD in 2002. ...
Subject: Wyoming Deer tests positive for CWD in hunt area 100
Page 5
Deer tests positive for CWD in hunt area 100
Game and Fish personnel take lymph nodes from mule deer at a check station
in Kemmerer to test them for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s chronic wasting disease (CWD)
surveillance program has found the disease in a new deer hunt area. CWD is a
fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose.
Staff at the Game and Fish Department’s wildlife disease laboratory in
Laramie confirmed the presence of CWD in a buck mule deer harvested on Oct. 2
near Flat Top Mountain, in deer hunt area 100, which lies about 15 miles
northwest of Baggs. Deer hunt area 100 is bordered by CWD positive deer hunt
areas 82 and 84 to the east and 98 to the northeast. “This is our first new
positive hunt area this year. We again appreciate the help of hunters who help
with the surveillance program. We do recommend people not eat deer, elk or moose
that test positive for CWD,” Deputy Chief of the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department Wildlife Division, Scott Edberg said.
Green River region personnel continue to collect samples of deer, elk and
moose through hunter field checks and at CWD sampling stations. WGFD personnel
collect and analyze more than 1,600 CWD samples annually throughout the state.
Hunters who wish to have their deer, elk or moose tested for CWD outside of the
department’s CWD surveillance program can to do so by contacting the Wyoming
State Veterinary Lab at (307) 766-9925. Hunters should be aware that it may take
a few weeks after their animal is sampled to get their test results.
For more information on chronic wasting disease transmission and
regulations on transportation and disposal of carcasses please visit the Game
and Fish website at:
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Wyoming Game and Fish Finds CWD In New Deer Hunt Area buck mule deer
harvested on Oct. 2 near Flat Top Mountain hunt area 100
WYOMING CWD 1998...
Harry Harju, assistant wildlife chief with Wyoming Fish and Game, reported
that elk or game farming is now prohibited in Wyoming. Only one game ranch
exists in Wyoming, which was operating before the passage of the law. The state
of Wyoming was sued by several game breeders associations for not allowing elk
farming. The game breeders lost their suit in the United States Court of
Appeals, Tenth Circuit. The court maintained that the state had authority to
regulate commerce and protect wildlife. Wyoming has had problems with big game
farming originating in surrounding states. Wyoming has documented the harvest of
red deer and their hybrids during elk hunts on the Snowy Mountain range that
borders Colorado. Wyoming speculates that the red deer were escapees from
Colorado game farms. Hybridization is viewed as threat to the genetic integrity
of Wyoming's wild elk population. In a public hearing, the public voted against
game farms in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming's Cattlemen's Association and
Department of Agriculture opposed elk and big game farms, as well, particularly
due to disease risks. Brucellosis is a major problem for wildlife and livestock
in the Yellowstone Basin.
Research Project: TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF
TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES
*** Title: Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended
silent incubation period Authors
item Comoy, Emmanuel - item Mikol, Jacqueline - item Luccantoni-Freire,
Sophie - item Correia, Evelyne - item Lescoutra-Etchegaray, Nathalie - item
Durand, Valérie - item Dehen, Capucine - item Andreoletti, Olivier - item
Casalone, Cristina - item Richt, Juergen item Greenlee, Justin item Baron,
Thierry - item Benestad, Sylvie - item Hills, Bob - item Brown, Paul - item
Deslys, Jean-Philippe -
Submitted to: Scientific Reports Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 28, 2015 Publication Date: June 30, 2015
Citation: Comoy, E.E., Mikol, J., Luccantoni-Freire, S., Correia, E.,
Lescoutra-Etchegaray, N., Durand, V., Dehen, C., Andreoletti, O., Casalone, C.,
Richt, J.A., Greenlee, J.J., Baron, T., Benestad, S., Brown, P., Deslys, J.
2015. Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent
incubation period. Scientific Reports. 5:11573. Interpretive Summary: The
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (also called prion diseases) are fatal
neurodegenerative diseases that affect animals and humans. The agent of prion
diseases is a misfolded form of the prion protein that is resistant to breakdown
by the host cells. Since all mammals express prion protein on the surface of
various cells such as neurons, all mammals are, in theory, capable of
replicating prion diseases. One example of a prion disease, bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE; also called mad cow disease), has been shown to infect
cattle, sheep, exotic undulates, cats, non-human primates, and humans when the
new host is exposed to feeds or foods contaminated with the disease agent. The
purpose of this study was to test whether non-human primates (cynomologous
macaque) are susceptible to the agent of sheep scrapie. After an incubation
period of approximately 10 years a macaque developed progressive clinical signs
suggestive of neurologic disease. Upon postmortem examination and microscopic
examination of tissues, there was a widespread distribution of lesions
consistent with a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. This information will
have a scientific impact since it is the first study that demonstrates the
transmission of scrapie to a non-human primate with a close genetic relationship
to humans. This information is especially useful to regulatory officials and
those involved with risk assessment of the potential transmission of animal
prion diseases to humans.
Technical Abstract: Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (c-BSE) is
an animal prion disease that also causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in
humans. Over the past decades, c-BSE's zoonotic potential has been the driving
force in establishing extensive protective measures for animal and human health.
In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to
scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a
natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation
period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion
disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout
the CNS.
***This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of
scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal
health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and
being eradicated. Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and
protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission
studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.
Research Project: TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF
TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES
Title: Transmission of the agent of sheep scrapie to deer results in PrPSc
with two distinct molecular profiles Authors
item Greenlee, Justin item Moore, Sarah - item Smith, Jodi item West
Greenlee, Mary - item Kunkle, Robert
Submitted to: Prion Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance
Date: March 31, 2015 Publication Date: May 25, 2015 Citation: Greenlee, J.,
Moore, S.J., Smith, J.., West Greenlee, M.H., Kunkle, R. 2015.
Scrapie transmits to white-tailed deer by the oral route and has a
molecular profile similar to chronic wasting disease and distinct from the
scrapie inoculum. Prion 2015. p. S62. Technical Abstract: The purpose of this
work was to determine susceptibility of white-tailed deer (WTD) to the agent of
sheep scrapie and to compare the resultant PrPSc to that of the original
inoculum and chronic wasting disease (CWD). We inoculated WTD by a natural route
of exposure (concurrent oral and intranasal (IN); n=5) with a US scrapie
isolate. All scrapie-inoculated deer had evidence of PrPSc accumulation. PrPSc
was detected in lymphoid tissues at preclinical time points, and deer necropsied
after 28 months post-inoculation had clinical signs, spongiform encephalopathy,
and widespread distribution of PrPSc in neural and lymphoid tissues. Western
blotting (WB) revealed PrPSc with 2 distinct molecular profiles. WB on cerebral
cortex had a profile similar to the original scrapie inoculum, whereas WB of
brainstem, cerebellum, or lymph nodes reveal PrPSc with a higher profile
resembling CWD. Homogenates with the 2 distinct profiles from WTD with clinical
scrapie were further passaged to mice expressing cervid prion protein and
intranasally to sheep and WTD. In cervidized mice, the two inocula have distinct
incubation times. Sheep inoculated intranasally with WTD derived scrapie
developed disease, but only after inoculation with the inoculum that had a
scrapie-like profile. The WTD study is ongoing, but deer in both inoculation
groups are positive for PrPSc by rectal mucosal biopsy. In summary, this work
demonstrates that WTD are susceptible to the agent of scrapie, two distinct
molecular profiles of PrPSc are present in the tissues of affected deer, and
inoculum of either profile type readily passes to deer.
Research Project: TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF
TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES
Title: Scrapie transmits to white-tailed deer by the oral route and has a
molecular profile similar to chronic wasting disease Authors
item Greenlee, Justin item Moore, S - item Smith, Jodi - item Kunkle,
Robert item West Greenlee, M -
Submitted to: American College of Veterinary Pathologists Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: August 12, 2015
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: The purpose of this work was to determine
susceptibility of white-tailed deer (WTD) to the agent of sheep scrapie and to
compare the resultant PrPSc to that of the original inoculum and chronic wasting
disease (CWD). We inoculated WTD by a natural route of exposure (concurrent oral
and intranasal (IN); n=5) with a US scrapie isolate. All scrapie-inoculated deer
had evidence of PrPSc accumulation. PrPSc was detected in lymphoid tissues at
preclinical time points, and deer necropsied after 28 months post-inoculation
had clinical signs, spongiform encephalopathy, and widespread distribution of
PrPSc in neural and lymphoid tissues. Western blotting (WB) revealed PrPSc with
2 distinct molecular profiles. WB on cerebral cortex had a profile similar to
the original scrapie inoculum, whereas WB of brainstem, cerebellum, or lymph
nodes revealed PrPSc with a higher profile resembling CWD. Homogenates with the
2 distinct profiles from WTD with clinical scrapie were further passaged to mice
expressing cervid prion protein and intranasally to sheep and WTD. In cervidized
mice, the two inocula have distinct incubation times. Sheep inoculated
intranasally with WTD derived scrapie developed disease, but only after
inoculation with the inoculum that had a scrapie-like profile. The WTD study is
ongoing, but deer in both inoculation groups are positive for PrPSc by rectal
mucosal biopsy. In summary, this work demonstrates that WTD are susceptible to
the agent of scrapie, two distinct molecular profiles of PrPSc are present in
the tissues of affected deer, and inoculum of either profile readily passes to
deer.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
USAHA Detailed Events Schedule – 119th USAHA Annual Meeting CAPTIVE
LIVESTOCK CWD SCRAPIE TSE PRION
Thursday, November 05, 2015
TPW Commission Adopts Interim Deer Breeder Movement Rules
*** Spraker suggested an interesting explanation for the occurrence of CWD.
The deer pens at the Foot Hills Campus were built some 30-40 years ago by a Dr.
Bob Davis. At or abut that time, allegedly, some scrapie work was conducted at
this site. When deer were introduced to the pens they occupied ground that had
previously been occupied by sheep.
White-tailed Deer are Susceptible to Scrapie by Natural Route of Infection
Jodi D. Smith, Justin J. Greenlee, and Robert A. Kunkle; Virus and Prion
Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS
Interspecies transmission studies afford the opportunity to better
understand the potential host range and origins of prion diseases. Previous
experiments demonstrated that white-tailed deer are susceptible to sheep-derived
scrapie by intracranial inoculation. The purpose of this study was to determine
susceptibility of white-tailed deer to scrapie after a natural route of
exposure. Deer (n=5) were inoculated by concurrent oral (30 ml) and intranasal
(1 ml) instillation of a 10% (wt/vol) brain homogenate derived from a sheep
clinically affected with scrapie. Non-inoculated deer were maintained as
negative controls. All deer were observed daily for clinical signs. Deer were
euthanized and necropsied when neurologic disease was evident, and tissues were
examined for abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and
western blot (WB). One animal was euthanized 15 months post-inoculation (MPI)
due to an injury. At that time, examination of obex and lymphoid tissues by IHC
was positive, but WB of obex and colliculus were negative. Remaining deer
developed clinical signs of wasting and mental depression and were necropsied
from 28 to 33 MPI. Tissues from these deer were positive for scrapie by IHC and
WB. Tissues with PrPSc immunoreactivity included brain, tonsil, retropharyngeal
and mesenteric lymph nodes, hemal node, Peyer’s patches, and spleen. This work
demonstrates for the first time that white-tailed deer are susceptible to sheep
scrapie by potential natural routes of inoculation. In-depth analysis of tissues
will be done to determine similarities between scrapie in deer after
intracranial and oral/intranasal inoculation and chronic wasting disease
resulting from similar routes of inoculation.
see full text ;
PO-039: A comparison of scrapie and chronic wasting disease in white-tailed
deer
Justin Greenlee, Jodi Smith, Eric Nicholson US Dept. Agriculture;
Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center; Ames, IA USA
White-tailed deer are susceptible to the agent of sheep scrapie by
intracerebral inoculation
snip...
It is unlikely that CWD will be eradicated from free-ranging cervids, and
the disease is likely to continue to spread geographically [10]. However, the
potential that white-tailed deer may be susceptible to sheep scrapie by a
natural route presents an additional confounding factor to halting the spread of
CWD. This leads to the additional speculations that
1) infected deer could serve as a reservoir to infect sheep with scrapie
offering challenges to scrapie eradication efforts and
2) CWD spread need not remain geographically confined to current endemic
areas, but could occur anywhere that sheep with scrapie and susceptible cervids
cohabitate.
This work demonstrates for the first time that white-tailed deer are
susceptible to sheep scrapie by intracerebral inoculation with a high attack
rate and that the disease that results has similarities to CWD. These
experiments will be repeated with a more natural route of inoculation to
determine the likelihood of the potential transmission of sheep scrapie to
white-tailed deer. If scrapie were to occur in white-tailed deer, results of
this study indicate that it would be detected as a TSE, but may be difficult to
differentiate from CWD without in-depth biochemical analysis.
2012
PO-039: A comparison of scrapie and chronic wasting disease in white-tailed
deer
Justin Greenlee, Jodi Smith, Eric Nicholson US Dept. Agriculture;
Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center; Ames, IA USA
snip...
The results of this study suggest that there are many similarities in the
manifestation of CWD and scrapie in WTD after IC inoculation including early and
widespread presence of PrPSc in lymphoid tissues, clinical signs of depression
and weight loss progressing to wasting, and an incubation time of 21-23 months.
Moreover, western blots (WB) done on brain material from the obex region have a
molecular profile similar to CWD and distinct from tissues of the cerebrum or
the scrapie inoculum. However, results of microscopic and IHC examination
indicate that there are differences between the lesions expected in CWD and
those that occur in deer with scrapie: amyloid plaques were not noted in any
sections of brain examined from these deer and the pattern of immunoreactivity
by IHC was diffuse rather than plaque-like.
*** After a natural route of exposure, 100% of WTD were susceptible to
scrapie.
Deer developed clinical signs of wasting and mental depression and were
necropsied from 28 to 33 months PI. Tissues from these deer were positive for
PrPSc by IHC and WB. Similar to IC inoculated deer, samples from these deer
exhibited two different molecular profiles: samples from obex resembled CWD
whereas those from cerebrum were similar to the original scrapie inoculum. On
further examination by WB using a panel of antibodies, the tissues from deer
with scrapie exhibit properties differing from tissues either from sheep with
scrapie or WTD with CWD. Samples from WTD with CWD or sheep with scrapie are
strongly immunoreactive when probed with mAb P4, however, samples from WTD with
scrapie are only weakly immunoreactive. In contrast, when probed with mAb’s 6H4
or SAF 84, samples from sheep with scrapie and WTD with CWD are weakly
immunoreactive and samples from WTD with scrapie are strongly positive. This
work demonstrates that WTD are highly susceptible to sheep scrapie, but on first
passage, scrapie in WTD is differentiable from CWD.
2011
*** After a natural route of exposure, 100% of white-tailed deer were
susceptible to scrapie.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
USAHA Detailed Events Schedule – 119th USAHA Annual Meeting CAPTIVE
LIVESTOCK CWD SCRAPIE TSE PRION
*** PRION 2015 CONFERENCE FT. COLLINS CWD RISK FACTORS TO HUMANS ***
*** LATE-BREAKING ABSTRACTS PRION 2015 CONFERENCE ***
O18
Zoonotic Potential of CWD Prions
Liuting Qing1, Ignazio Cali1,2, Jue Yuan1, Shenghai Huang3, Diane Kofskey1,
Pierluigi Gambetti1, Wenquan Zou1, Qingzhong Kong1 1Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 2Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy,
3Encore Health Resources, Houston, Texas, USA
***These results indicate that the CWD prion has the potential to infect
human CNS and peripheral lymphoid tissues and that there might be asymptomatic
human carriers of CWD infection.***
P.105: RT-QuIC models trans-species prion transmission
Kristen Davenport, Davin Henderson, Candace Mathiason, and Edward Hoover
Prion Research Center; Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA
Additionally, human rPrP was competent for conversion by CWD and fCWD.
***This insinuates that, at the level of protein:protein interactions, the
barrier preventing transmission of CWD to humans is less robust than previously
estimated.***
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:29 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Subject: THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE R. G. WILL 1984
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE
R. G. WILL
1984
*** The association between venison eating and risk of CJD shows similar
pattern, with regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK
OF CJD (p = 0.04). (SEE LINK IN REPORT HERE...TSS) PLUS, THE CDC DID NOT PUT
THIS WARNING OUT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE DEER AND ELK ;
snip...
85%+ of all human tse prion disease is sporadic CJD.
see what the NIH prion Gods say themselves ;
‘’In the Archives of Neurology you quoted (the abstract of which was
attached to your email), we did not say CWD in humans will present like variant
CJD. That assumption would be wrong.’’
‘’Also, we do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with prion
disease from eating venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no strong
evidence of CWD transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in any other
forum is limited to the patients we investigated.’’
*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic
potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human
PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests
that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP
codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in
the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***
*** The potential impact of prion diseases on human health was greatly
magnified by the recognition that interspecies transfer of BSE to humans by beef
ingestion resulted in vCJD. While changes in animal feed constituents and
slaughter practices appear to have curtailed vCJD, there is concern that CWD of
free-ranging deer and elk in the U.S. might also cross the species barrier.
Thus, consuming venison could be a source of human prion disease. Whether BSE
and CWD represent interspecies scrapie transfer or are newly arisen prion
diseases is unknown. Therefore, the possibility of transmission of prion disease
through other food animals cannot be ruled out. There is evidence that vCJD can
be transmitted through blood transfusion. There is likely a pool of unknown size
of asymptomatic individuals infected with vCJD, and there may be asymptomatic
individuals infected with the CWD equivalent. These circumstances represent a
potential threat to blood, blood products, and plasma supplies.
now, let’s see what the authors said about this casual link, personal
communications years ago. see where it is stated NO STRONG evidence. so, does
this mean there IS casual evidence ???? “Our conclusion stating that we found no
strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans”
From: TSS (216-119-163-189.ipset45.wt.net)
Subject: CWD aka MAD DEER/ELK TO HUMANS ???
Date: September 30, 2002 at 7:06 am PST
From: "Belay, Ermias"
To: Cc: "Race, Richard (NIH)" ; ; "Belay, Ermias"
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 9:22 AM
Subject: RE: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Dear Sir/Madam,
In the Archives of Neurology you quoted (the abstract of which was attached
to your email), we did not say CWD in humans will present like variant CJD. That
assumption would be wrong. I encourage you to read the whole article and call me
if you have questions or need more clarification (phone: 404-639-3091). Also, we
do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with prion disease from eating
venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD
transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in any other forum is
limited to the patients we investigated.
Ermias Belay, M.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
-----Original Message-----
From: Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:15 AM
To: rr26k@nih.gov; rrace@niaid.nih.gov; ebb8@CDC.GOV
Subject: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Sunday, November 10, 2002 6:26 PM ......snip........end..............TSS
Thursday, April 03, 2008
A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease 2008 1: Vet Res. 2008
Apr 3;39(4):41 A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease Sigurdson CJ.
snip...
*** twenty-seven CJD patients who regularly consumed venison were reported
to the Surveillance Center***,
snip... full text ;
July's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article did prod state officials to ask
CDC to investigate the cases of the three men who shared wild game feasts. The
two men the CDC is still investigating were 55 and 66 years old. But there's
also Kevin Boss, a Minnesota hunter who ate Barron County venison and died of
CJD at 41. And there's Jeff Schwan, whose Michigan Tech fraternity brothers used
to bring venison sausage back to the frat house. His mother, Terry, says that in
May 2001, Jeff, 26, began complaining about his vision. A friend noticed
misspellings in his e-mail, which was totally unlike him. Jeff began losing
weight. He became irritable and withdrawn. By the end of June, he couldn't
remember the four-digit code to open the garage door or when and how to feed his
parents' cats. At a family gathering in July, he stuck to his parents and
girlfriend, barely talking. "On the night we took him to the hospital, he was
speaking like he was drunk or high and I noticed his pupils were so dilated I
couldn't see the irises," his mother says. By then, Jeff was no longer able to
do even simple things on his computer at work, and "in the hospital, he couldn't
drink enough water." When he died on September 27, 2001, an autopsy confirmed he
had sporadic CJD.
In 2000, Belay looked into three CJD cases reported by The Denver Post, two
hunters who ate meat from animals killed in Wyoming and the daughter of a hunter
who ate venison from a plant that processed Colorado elk. All three died of CJD
before they were 30 years old. The CDC asked the USDA to kill 1,000 deer and elk
in the area where the men hunted. Belay and others reported their findings in
the Archives of Neurology, writing that although "circumstances suggested a link
between the three cases and chronic wasting disease, they could find no 'causal'
link." Which means, says Belay, "not a single one of those 1,000 deer tested
positive for CWD. For all we know, these cases may be CWD. What we have now
doesn't indicate a connection. That's reassuring, but it would be wrong to say
it will never happen."
So far, says NIH researcher Race, the two Wisconsin cases pinpointed by the
newspaper look like spontaneous CJD. "But we don't know how CWD would look in
human brains. It probably would look like some garden-variety sporadic CJD."
What the CDC will do with these cases and four others (three from Colorado and
Schwan from Upper Michigan), Race says, is "sequence the prion protein from
these people, inject it into mice and wait to see what the disease looks like in
their brains. That will take two years."
CJD is so rare in people under age 30, one case in a billion (leaving out
medical mishaps), that four cases under 30 is "very high," says Colorado
neurologist Bosque. "Then, if you add these other two from Wisconsin [cases in
the newspaper], six cases of CJD in people associated with venison is very, very
high." Only now, with Mary Riley, there are at least seven, and possibly eight,
with Steve, her dining companion. "It's not critical mass that matters,"
however, Belay says. "One case would do it for me." The chance that two people
who know each other would both contact CJD, like the two Wisconsin sportsmen, is
so unlikely, experts say, it would happen only once in 140 years.
Given the incubation period for TSEs in humans, it may require another
generation to write the final chapter on CWD in Wisconsin. "Does chronic wasting
disease pass into humans? We'll be able to answer that in 2022," says Race.
Meanwhile, the state has become part of an immense experiment.
I urge everyone to watch this video closely...terry
*** you can see video here and interview with Jeff's Mom, and scientist
telling you to test everything and potential risk factors for humans ***
*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic
potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human
PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests
that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP
codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in
the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***
O.05: Transmission of prions to primates after extended silent incubation
periods: Implications for BSE and scrapie risk assessment in human populations
Emmanuel Comoy, Jacqueline Mikol, Val erie Durand, Sophie Luccantoni,
Evelyne Correia, Nathalie Lescoutra, Capucine Dehen, and Jean-Philippe Deslys
Atomic Energy Commission; Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Prion diseases (PD) are the unique neurodegenerative proteinopathies
reputed to be transmissible under field conditions since decades. The
transmission of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) to humans evidenced that
an animal PD might be zoonotic under appropriate conditions. Contrarily, in the
absence of obvious (epidemiological or experimental) elements supporting a
transmission or genetic predispositions, PD, like the other proteinopathies, are
reputed to occur spontaneously (atpical animal prion strains, sporadic CJD
summing 80% of human prion cases). Non-human primate models provided the first
evidences supporting the transmissibiity of human prion strains and the zoonotic
potential of BSE. Among them, cynomolgus macaques brought major information for
BSE risk assessment for human health (Chen, 2014), according to their
phylogenetic proximity to humans and extended lifetime. We used this model to
assess the zoonotic potential of other animal PD from bovine, ovine and cervid
origins even after very long silent incubation periods.
*** We recently observed the direct transmission of a natural classical
scrapie isolate to macaque after a 10-year silent incubation period,
***with features similar to some reported for human cases of sporadic CJD,
albeit requiring fourfold longe incubation than BSE. Scrapie, as recently evoked
in humanized mice (Cassard, 2014),
***is the third potentially zoonotic PD (with BSE and L-type BSE),
***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases. We will present an
updated panorama of our different transmission studies and discuss the
implications of such extended incubation periods on risk assessment of animal PD
for human health.
===============
***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases...TSS
===============
PL1
Using in vitro prion replication for high sensitive detection of prions and
prionlike proteins and for understanding mechanisms of transmission.
Claudio Soto
Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's diseases and related Brain disorders,
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
Prion and prion-like proteins are misfolded protein aggregates with the
ability to selfpropagate to spread disease between cells, organs and in some
cases across individuals. I n T r a n s m i s s i b l e s p o n g i f o r m
encephalopathies (TSEs), prions are mostly composed by a misfolded form of the
prion protein (PrPSc), which propagates by transmitting its misfolding to the
normal prion protein (PrPC). The availability of a procedure to replicate prions
in the laboratory may be important to study the mechanism of prion and
prion-like spreading and to develop high sensitive detection of small quantities
of misfolded proteins in biological fluids, tissues and environmental samples.
Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (PMCA) is a simple, fast and efficient
methodology to mimic prion replication in the test tube. PMCA is a platform
technology that may enable amplification of any prion-like misfolded protein
aggregating through a seeding/nucleation process. In TSEs, PMCA is able to
detect the equivalent of one single molecule of infectious PrPSc and propagate
prions that maintain high infectivity, strain properties and species
specificity. Using PMCA we have been able to detect PrPSc in blood and urine of
experimentally infected animals and humans affected by vCJD with high
sensitivity and specificity. Recently, we have expanded the principles of PMCA
to amplify amyloid-beta (Aβ) and alphasynuclein (α-syn) aggregates implicated in
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively. Experiments are ongoing to
study the utility of this technology to detect Aβ and α-syn aggregates in
samples of CSF and blood from patients affected by these diseases.
=========================
***Recently, we have been using PMCA to study the role of environmental
prion contamination on the horizontal spreading of TSEs. These experiments have
focused on the study of the interaction of prions with plants and
environmentally relevant surfaces. Our results show that plants (both leaves and
roots) bind tightly to prions present in brain extracts and excreta (urine and
feces) and retain even small quantities of PrPSc for long periods of time.
Strikingly, ingestion of prioncontaminated leaves and roots produced disease
with a 100% attack rate and an incubation period not substantially longer than
feeding animals directly with scrapie brain homogenate. Furthermore, plants can
uptake prions from contaminated soil and transport them to different parts of
the plant tissue (stem and leaves). Similarly, prions bind tightly to a variety
of environmentally relevant surfaces, including stones, wood, metals, plastic,
glass, cement, etc. Prion contaminated surfaces efficiently transmit prion
disease when these materials were directly injected into the brain of animals
and strikingly when the contaminated surfaces were just placed in the animal
cage. These findings demonstrate that environmental materials can efficiently
bind infectious prions and act as carriers of infectivity, suggesting that they
may play an important role in the horizontal transmission of the disease.
========================
Since its invention 13 years ago, PMCA has helped to answer fundamental
questions of prion propagation and has broad applications in research areas
including the food industry, blood bank safety and human and veterinary disease
diagnosis.
see ;
98 | Veterinary Record | January 24, 2015
EDITORIAL
Scrapie: a particularly persistent pathogen
Cristina Acín
Resistant prions in the environment have been the sword of Damocles for
scrapie control and eradication. Attempts to establish which physical and
chemical agents could be applied to inactivate or moderate scrapie infectivity
were initiated in the 1960s and 1970s,with the first study of this type focusing
on the effect of heat treatment in reducing prion infectivity (Hunter and
Millson 1964). Nowadays, most of the chemical procedures that aim to inactivate
the prion protein are based on the method developed by Kimberlin and
collaborators (1983). This procedure consists of treatment with 20,000 parts per
million free chlorine solution, for a minimum of one hour, of all surfaces that
need to be sterilised (in laboratories, lambing pens, slaughterhouses, and so
on). Despite this, veterinarians and farmers may still ask a range of questions,
such as ‘Is there an official procedure published somewhere?’ and ‘Is there an
international organisation which recommends and defines the exact method of
scrapie decontamination that must be applied?’
From a European perspective, it is difficult to find a treatment that could
be applied, especially in relation to the disinfection of surfaces in lambing
pens of affected flocks. A 999/2001 EU regulation on controlling spongiform
encephalopathies (European Parliament and Council 2001) did not specify a
particular decontamination measure to be used when an outbreak of scrapie is
diagnosed. There is only a brief recommendation in Annex VII concerning the
control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE s).
Chapter B of the regulation explains the measures that must be applied if
new caprine animals are to be introduced to a holding where a scrapie outbreak
has previously been diagnosed. In that case, the statement indicates that
caprine animals can be introduced ‘provided that a cleaning and disinfection of
all animal housing on the premises has been carried out following destocking’.
Issues around cleaning and disinfection are common in prion prevention
recommendations, but relevant authorities, veterinarians and farmers may have
difficulties in finding the specific protocol which applies. The European Food
and Safety Authority (EFSA ) published a detailed report about the efficacy of
certain biocides, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, guanidine and
even a formulation of copper or iron metal ions in combination with hydrogen
peroxide, against prions (EFSA 2009). The report was based on scientific
evidence (Fichet and others 2004, Lemmer and others 2004, Gao and others 2006,
Solassol and others 2006) but unfortunately the decontamination measures were
not assessed under outbreak conditions.
The EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards recently published its conclusions on
the scrapie situation in the EU after 10 years of monitoring and control of the
disease in sheep and goats (EFSA 2014), and one of the most interesting findings
was the Icelandic experience regarding the effect of disinfection in scrapie
control. The Icelandic plan consisted of: culling scrapie-affected sheep or the
whole flock in newly diagnosed outbreaks; deep cleaning and disinfection of
stables, sheds, barns and equipment with high pressure washing followed by
cleaning with 500 parts per million of hypochlorite; drying and treatment with
300 ppm of iodophor; and restocking was not permitted for at least two years.
Even when all of these measures were implemented, scrapie recurred on several
farms, indicating that the infectious agent survived for years in the
environment, even as many as 16 years after restocking (Georgsson and others
2006).
In the rest of the countries considered in the EFSA (2014) report,
recommendations for disinfection measures were not specifically defined at the
government level. In the report, the only recommendation that is made for sheep
is repopulation with sheep with scrapie-resistant genotypes. This reduces the
risk of scrapie recurrence but it is difficult to know its effect on the
infection.
Until the EFSA was established (in May 2003), scientific opinions about TSE
s were provided by the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of the EC, whose
advice regarding inactivation procedures focused on treating animal waste at
high temperatures (150°C for three hours) and high pressure alkaline hydrolysis
(SSC 2003). At the same time, the TSE Risk Management Subgroup of the Advisory
Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) in the UK published guidance on safe
working and the prevention of TSE infection. Annex C of the ACDP report
established that sodium hypochlorite was considered to be effective, but only if
20,000 ppm of available chlorine was present for at least one hour, which has
practical limitations such as the release of chlorine gas, corrosion,
incompatibility with formaldehyde, alcohols and acids, rapid inactivation of its
active chemicals and the stability of dilutions (ACDP 2009).
In an international context, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
does not recommend a specific disinfection protocol for prion agents in its
Terrestrial Code or Manual. Chapter 4.13 of the Terrestrial Code, General
recommendations on disinfection and disinsection (OIE 2014), focuses on
foot-and-mouth disease virus, mycobacteria and Bacillus anthracis, but not on
prion disinfection. Nevertheless, the last update published by the OIE on bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (OIE 2012) indicates that few effective
decontamination techniques are available to inactivate the agent on surfaces,
and recommends the removal of all organic material and the use of sodium
hydroxide, or a sodium hypochlorite solution containing 2 per cent available
chlorine, for more than one hour at 20ºC.
The World Health Organization outlines guidelines for the control of TSE s,
and also emphasises the importance of mechanically cleaning surfaces before
disinfection with sodium hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite for one hour (WHO
1999).
Finally, the relevant agencies in both Canada and the USA suggest that the
best treatments for surfaces potentially contaminated with prions are sodium
hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite at 20,000 ppm. This is a 2 per cent solution,
while most commercial household bleaches contain 5.25 per cent sodium
hypochlorite. It is therefore recommended to dilute one part 5.25 per cent
bleach with 1.5 parts water (CDC 2009, Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2013).
So what should we do about disinfection against prions? First, it is
suggested that a single protocol be created by international authorities to
homogenise inactivation procedures and enable their application in all
scrapie-affected countries. Sodium hypochlorite with 20,000 ppm of available
chlorine seems to be the procedure used in most countries, as noted in a paper
summarised on p 99 of this issue of Veterinary Record (Hawkins and others 2015).
But are we totally sure of its effectiveness as a preventive measure in a
scrapie outbreak? Would an in-depth study of the recurrence of scrapie disease
be needed?
What we can conclude is that, if we want to fight prion diseases, and
specifically classical scrapie, we must focus on the accuracy of diagnosis,
monitoring and surveillance; appropriate animal identification and control of
movements; and, in the end, have homogeneous and suitable protocols to
decontaminate and disinfect lambing barns, sheds and equipment available to
veterinarians and farmers. Finally, further investigations into the resistance
of prion proteins in the diversity of environmental surfaces are required.
References
snip...
98 | Veterinary Record | January 24, 2015
Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following
cleaning and decontamination
Steve A. C. Hawkins, MIBiol, Pathology Department1, Hugh A. Simmons, BVSc
MRCVS, MBA, MA Animal Services Unit1, Kevin C. Gough, BSc, PhD2 and Ben C.
Maddison, BSc, PhD3 + Author Affiliations
1Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey
KT15 3NB, UK 2School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of
Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK 3ADAS
UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham,
Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK E-mail for
correspondence: ben.maddison@adas.co.uk Abstract Scrapie of sheep/goats and
chronic wasting disease of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where
environmental reservoirs are directly implicated in the transmission of disease.
In this study, the effectiveness of recommended scrapie farm decontamination
regimens was evaluated by a sheep bioassay using buildings naturally
contaminated with scrapie. Pens within a farm building were treated with either
20,000 parts per million free chorine solution for one hour or were treated with
the same but were followed by painting and full re-galvanisation or replacement
of metalwork within the pen. Scrapie susceptible lambs of the PRNP genotype
VRQ/VRQ were reared within these pens and their scrapie status was monitored by
recto-anal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. All animals became infected over
an 18-month period, even in the pen that had been subject to the most stringent
decontamination process. These data suggest that recommended current guidelines
for the decontamination of farm buildings following outbreaks of scrapie do
little to reduce the titre of infectious scrapie material and that environmental
recontamination could also be an issue associated with these premises.
SNIP...
Discussion
Thorough pressure washing of a pen had no effect on the amount of
bioavailable scrapie infectivity (pen B). The routine removal of prions from
surfaces within a laboratory setting is treatment for a minimum of one hour with
20,000 ppm free chlorine, a method originally based on the use of brain
macerates from infected rodents to evaluate the effectiveness of decontamination
(Kimberlin and others 1983). Further studies have also investigated the
effectiveness of hypochlorite disinfection of metal surfaces to simulate the
decontamination of surgical devices within a hospital setting. Such treatments
with hypochlorite solution were able to reduce infectivity by 5.5 logs to lower
than the sensitivity of the bioassay used (Lemmer and others 2004). Analogous
treatment of the pen surfaces did not effectively remove the levels of scrapie
infectivity over that of the control pens, indicating that this method of
decontamination is not effective within a farm setting. This may be due to the
high level of biological matrix that is present upon surfaces within the farm
environment, which may reduce the amount of free chlorine available to
inactivate any infectious prion. Remarkably 1/5 sheep introduced into pen D had
also became scrapie positive within nine months, with all animals in this pen
being RAMALT positive by 18 months of age. Pen D was no further away from the
control pen (pen A) than any of the other pens within this barn. Localised hot
spots of infectivity may be present within scrapie-contaminated environments,
but it is unlikely that pen D area had an amount of scrapie contamination that
was significantly different than the other areas within this building.
Similarly, there were no differences in how the biosecurity of pen D was
maintained, or how this pen was ventilated compared with the other pens. This
observation, perhaps, indicates the slower kinetics of disease uptake within
this pen and is consistent with a more thorough prion removal and
recontamination. These observations may also account for the presence of
inadvertent scrapie cases within other studies, where despite stringent
biosecurity, control animals have become scrapie positive during challenge
studies using barns that also housed scrapie-affected animals (Ryder and others
2009).
***The bioassay data indicate that the exposure of the sheep to a farm
environment after decontamination efforts thought to be effective in removing
scrapie is sufficient for the animals to become infected with scrapie. The main
exposure routes within this scenario are likely to be via the oral route, during
feeding and drinking, and respiratory and conjunctival routes. It has been
demonstrated that scrapie infectivity can be efficiently transmitted via the
nasal route in sheep (Hamir and others 2008), as is the case for CWD in both
murine models and in white-tailed deer (Denkers and others 2010, 2013).
Recently, it has also been demonstrated that CWD prions presented as dust
when bound to the soil mineral montmorillonite can be infectious via the nasal
route (Nichols and others 2013). When considering pens C and D, the actual
source of the infectious agent in the pens is not known, it is possible that
biologically relevant levels of prion survive on surfaces during the
decontamination regimen (pen C). With the use of galvanising and painting (pen
D) covering and sealing the surface of the pen, it is possible that scrapie
material recontaminated the pens by the movement of infectious prions contained
within dusts originating from other parts of the barn that were not
decontaminated or from other areas of the farm.
Given that scrapie prions are widespread on the surfaces of affected farms
(Maddison and others 2010a), irrespective of the source of the infectious prions
in the pens, this study clearly highlights the difficulties that are faced with
the effective removal of environmentally associated scrapie infectivity. This is
likely to be paralleled in CWD which shows strong similarities to scrapie in
terms of both the dissemination of prions into the environment and the facile
mode of disease transmission. These data further contribute to the understanding
that prion diseases can be highly transmissible between susceptible individuals
not just by direct contact but through highly stable environmental reservoirs
that are refractory to decontamination.
The presence of these environmentally associated prions in farm buildings
make the control of these diseases a considerable challenge, especially in
animal species such as goats where there is lack of genetic resistance to
scrapie and, therefore, no scope to re-stock farms with animals that are
resistant to scrapie.
Scrapie Sheep Goats Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE)
Accepted October 12, 2014. Published Online First 31 October 2014
Monday, November 3, 2014
Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following
cleaning and decontamination
PPo3-22:
Detection of Environmentally Associated PrPSc on a Farm with Endemic
Scrapie
Ben C. Maddison,1 Claire A. Baker,1 Helen C. Rees,1 Linda A. Terry,2 Leigh
Thorne,2 Susan J. Belworthy2 and Kevin C. Gough3 1ADAS-UK LTD; Department of
Biology; University of Leicester; Leicester, UK; 2Veterinary Laboratories
Agency; Surry, KT UK; 3Department of Veterinary Medicine and Science; University
of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington, Loughborough UK
Key words: scrapie, evironmental persistence, sPMCA
Ovine scrapie shows considerable horizontal transmission, yet the routes of
transmission and specifically the role of fomites in transmission remain poorly
defined. Here we present biochemical data demonstrating that on a
scrapie-affected sheep farm, scrapie prion contamination is widespread. It was
anticipated at the outset that if prions contaminate the environment that they
would be there at extremely low levels, as such the most sensitive method
available for the detection of PrPSc, serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic
Amplification (sPMCA), was used in this study. We investigated the distribution
of environmental scrapie prions by applying ovine sPMCA to samples taken from a
range of surfaces that were accessible to animals and could be collected by use
of a wetted foam swab. Prion was amplified by sPMCA from a number of these
environmental swab samples including those taken from metal, plastic and wooden
surfaces, both in the indoor and outdoor environment. At the time of sampling
there had been no sheep contact with these areas for at least 20 days prior to
sampling indicating that prions persist for at least this duration in the
environment. These data implicate inanimate objects as environmental reservoirs
of prion infectivity which are likely to contribute to disease transmission.
the tse prion aka mad cow type disease is not your normal pathogen.
The TSE prion disease survives ashing to 600 degrees celsius, that’s around
1112 degrees farenheit.
you cannot cook the TSE prion disease out of meat. you can take the ash and
mix it with saline and inject that ash into a mouse, and the mouse will go down
with TSE.
Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel
Production as well.
the TSE prion agent also survives Simulated Wastewater Treatment Processes.
IN fact, you should also know that the TSE Prion agent will survive in the
environment for years, if not decades.
you can bury it and it will not go away.
The TSE agent is capable of infected your water table i.e. Detection of
protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a CWD-endemic area.
it’s not your ordinary pathogen you can just cook it out and be done with.
that’s what’s so worrisome about Iatrogenic mode of transmission, a simple
autoclave will not kill this TSE prion agent.
cwd to humans, consumption, exposure, sub-clinical, iatrogenic, what if ?
Assessing Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Species Barriers with an
In Vitro Prion Protein Conversion Assay
Christopher J. Johnson1, Christina M. Carlson2, Aaron R. Morawski3, Alyson
Manthei4, Neil R. Cashman5
1USGS National Wildlife Health Center, 2Department of Soil Science,
University of Wisconsin–Madison, 3Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4Merial
Veterinary Scholars Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Wisconsin–Madison, 5Department of Neurology, University of British Columbia
Summary
Measuring the barrier to the interspecies transmission of prion diseases is
challenging and typically involves animal challenges or biochemical assays.
Here, we present an in vitro prion protein conversion assay with the ability to
predict species barriers.
Date Published: 3/10/2015, Issue 97; doi: 10.3791/52522
Keywords: Medicine, Issue 97, Prion, species barrier, conversion,
immunoblotting, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, interspecies
transmission Cite this Article
Johnson, C. J., Carlson, C. M., Morawski, A. R., Manthei, A., Cashman, N.
R. Assessing Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Species Barriers with an In
Vitro Prion Protein Conversion Assay. J. Vis. Exp. (97), e52522,
doi:10.3791/52522 (2015). Abstract
Studies to understanding interspecies transmission of transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, prion diseases) are challenging in that they
typically rely upon lengthy and costly in vivo animal challenge studies. A
number of in vitro assays have been developed to aid in measuring prion species
barriers, thereby reducing animal use and providing quicker results than animal
bioassays. Here, we present the protocol for a rapid in vitro prion conversion
assay called the conversion efficiency ratio (CER) assay. In this assay cellular
prion protein (PrPC) from an uninfected host brain is denatured at both pH 7.4
and 3.5 to produce two substrates. When the pH 7.4 substrate is incubated with
TSE agent, the amount of PrPC that converts to a proteinase K (PK)-resistant
state is modulated by the original host’s species barrier to the TSE agent. In
contrast, PrPC in the pH 3.5 substrate is misfolded by any TSE agent. By
comparing the amount of PK-resistant prion protein in the two substrates, an
assessment of the host’s species barrier can be made. We show that the CER assay
correctly predicts known prion species barriers of laboratory mice and, as an
example, show some preliminary results suggesting that bobcats (Lynx rufus) may
be susceptible to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) chronic wasting
disease agent.
>>> show some preliminary results suggesting that bobcats (Lynx
rufus) may be susceptible to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) chronic
wasting disease agent.
AD.63: Susceptibility of domestic cats to chronic wasting disease
Amy V.Nalls,1 Candace Mathiason,1 Davis Seelig,2 Susan Kraft,1 Kevin
Carnes,1 Kelly Anderson,1 Jeanette Hayes-Klug1 and Edward A. Hoover1
1Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA; 2University of Minnesota;
Saint Paul, MN USA
Domestic and nondomestic cats have been shown to be susceptible to feline
spongiform encephalopathy (FSE), almost certainly caused by consumption of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-contaminated meat. Because domestic and
free-ranging nondomestic felids scavenge cervid carcasses, including those in
areas affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD), we evaluated the susceptibility
of the domestic cat (Felis catus) to CWD infection experimentally. Cohorts of 5
cats each were inoculated either intracerebrally (IC) or orally (PO) with
CWD-infected deer brain. At 40 and 42 mo post-inoculation, two IC-inoculated
cats developed signs consistent with prion disease, including a stilted gait,
weight loss, anorexia, polydipsia, patterned motor behaviors, head and tail
tremors, and ataxia, and progressed to terminal disease within 5 mo. Brains from
these two cats were pooled and inoculated into cohorts of cats by IC, PO, and
intraperitoneal and subcutaneous (IP/SC) routes. Upon subpassage, feline-adapted
CWD (FelCWD) was transmitted to all IC-inoculated cats with a decreased
incubation period of 23 to 27 mo. FelCWD was detected in the brains of all the
symptomatic cats by western blotting and immunohistochemistry and abnormalities
were seen in magnetic resonance imaging, including multifocal T2 fluid
attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal hyper-intensities, ventricular size
increases, prominent sulci, and white matter tract cavitation. Currently, 3 of 4
IP/SQ and 2 of 4 PO inoculared cats have developed abnormal behavior patterns
consistent with the early stage of feline CWD. These results demonstrate that
CWD can be transmitted and adapted to the domestic cat, thus raising the issue
of potential cervid-to- feline transmission in nature.
www.landesbioscience.com
PO-081: Chronic wasting disease in the cat— Similarities to feline
spongiform encephalopathy (FSE)
PO-081: Chronic wasting disease in the cat— Similarities to feline
spongiform encephalopathy (FSE)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD PRION2012 Aerosol, Inhalation transmission,
Scrapie, cats, species barrier, burial, and more
Monday, August 8, 2011
Susceptibility of Domestic Cats to CWD Infection
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Prion2013 Chronic Wasting Disease CWD risk factors, humans, domestic cats,
blood, and mother to offspring transmission
Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy (FSE) FSE was first identified in the UK
in 1990. Most cases have been reported in the UK, where the epidemic has been
consistent with that of the BSE epidemic. Some other countries (e.g. Norway,
Liechtenstein and France) have also reported cases.
Most cases have been reported in domestic cats but there have also been
cases in captive exotic cats (e.g. Cheetah, Lion, Asian leopard cat, Ocelot,
Puma and Tiger). The disease is characterised by progressive nervous signs,
including ataxia, hyper-reactivity and behavioural changes and is fatal.
The chemical and biological properties of the infectious agent are
identical to those of the BSE and vCJD agents. These findings support the
hypothesis that the FSE epidemic resulted from the consumption of food
contaminated with the BSE agent.
The FSE epidemic has declined as a result of tight controls on the disposal
of specified risk material and other animal by-products.
References: Leggett, M.M. et al.(1990) A spongiform encephalopathy in a
cat. Veterinary Record. 127. 586-588
Synge, B.A. et al. (1991) Spongiform encephalopathy in a Scottish cat.
Veterinary Record. 129. 320
Wyatt, J. M. et al. (1991) Naturally occurring scrapie-like spongiform
encephalopathy in five domestic cats. Veterinary Record. 129. 233.
Gruffydd-Jones, T. J.et al.. (1991) Feline spongiform encephalopathy. J.
Small Animal Practice. 33. 471-476.
Pearson, G. R. et al. (1992) Feline spongiform encephalopathy: fibril and
PrP studies. Veterinary Record. 131. 307-310.
Willoughby, K. et al. (1992) Spongiform encephalopathy in a captive puma
(Felis concolor). Veterinary Record. 131. 431-434.
Fraser, H. et al. (1994) Transmission of feline spongiform encephalopathy
to mice. Veterinary Record 134. 449.
Bratberg, B. et al. (1995) Feline spongiform encephalopathy in a cat in
Norway. Veterinary Record 136. 444
Baron, T. et al. (1997) Spongiform encephalopathy in an imported cheetah in
France. Veterinary Record 141. 270-271
Zanusso, G et al. (1998) Simultaneous occurrence of spongiform
encephalopathy in a man and his cat in Italy. Lancet, V352, N9134, OCT 3, Pp
1116-1117.
Ryder, S.J. et al. (2001) Inconsistent detection of PrP in extraneural
tissues of cats with feline spongiform encephalopathy. Veterinary Record 146.
437-441
Kelly, D.F. et al. (2005) Neuropathological findings in cats with
clinically suspect but histologically unconfirmed feline spongiform
encephalopathy. Veterinary Record 156. 472-477.
3 further cheetah cases have occured, plus 1 lion, plus all the primates,
and 20 additional house cats. Nothing has been published on any of these UK
cases either. One supposes the problem here with publishing is that many
unpublished cases were _born_ long after the feed "ban". Caught between a rock
and a hard place: leaky ban or horizontal transmission (or both).
YOU explained that imported crushed heads were extensively used in the
petfood industry...
http://web.archive.org/web/20060303042720/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/04/14001001.pdf
In particular I do not believe one can say that the levels of the scrapie
agent in pet food are so low that domestic animals are not exposed...
http://web.archive.org/web/20040301231838/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/04/24003001.pdf
http://web.archive.org/web/20060303042732/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/04/25001001.pdf
on occassions, materials obtained from slaughterhouses will be derived from
sheep affected with scrapie or cattle that may be incubating BSE for use in
petfood manufacture...
http://web.archive.org/web/20060303042739/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/05/03007001.pdf
*** Meldrum's notes on pet foods and materials used
http://web.archive.org/web/20060303042745/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/05/16001001.pdf
*** BSE & Pedigree Petfoods ***
http://web.archive.org/web/20060303042725/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1989/05/16002001.pdf
In 2003, Denver Post reporter Theo Stein interviewed scientists about CWD
spreading though deer and elk in Colorado. Dr. Valerius Geist, who paradoxically
has become a darling of anti-wolfers, made this assertion about the significance
of wolves in containing CWD spread via proteins called prions.
“Wolves will certainly bring the disease to a halt,” he said. “They will
remove infected individuals and clean up carcasses that could transmit the
disease.”
Stein added that “Geist and Princeton University biologist Andrew Dobson
theorize that killing off the wolf allowed CWD to take hold in the first
place.”
Wolves aren’t alone. In a 2009 study titled “Mountain lions prey
selectively on prion-infected mule deer,” researchers in Colorado discovered
that “adult mule deer killed by mountain lions were more likely to be
prion-infected than were deer killed more randomly … suggesting that mountain
lions were selecting for infected individuals when they targeted adult
deer.”
NO, NO, NOT NO, BUT HELL KNOW !!!
PLEASE be careful what you ask for.
recently, canine spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed.
I proved this in 2005, with a letter from MAFF/DEFRA et al confirming my
suspicions of the ‘hound study’ way back. this was covered up. see documents
below.
also, recently, cwd to the domestic cat is a great concern.
even though to date, as far as I am aware of, the cwd study on the mountain
lion has not produced any confirmation yet, we already know that the feline
species is highly succeptible to the TSE prion. domestic cats and the exotic zoo
big cats.
so in my honest opinion, any program that would use wild animals to prey on
other wild animals, as a tool to help curb CWD TSE prion disease, would only
help enhance the spread of disease, and it would only help spread the disease to
other species. ...TSS
Monday, February 14, 2011
THE ROLE OF PREDATION IN DISEASE CONTROL: A COMPARISON OF SELECTIVE AND
NONSELECTIVE REMOVAL ON PRION DISEASE DYNAMICS IN DEER
NO, NO, NOT NO, BUT HELL NO !
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 47(1), 2011, pp. 78-93 © Wildlife Disease
Association 2011
OR-09: Canine spongiform encephalopathy—A new form of animal prion disease
Monique David, Mourad Tayebi UT Health; Houston, TX USA
It was also hypothesized that BSE might have originated from an
unrecognized sporadic or genetic case of bovine prion disease incorporated into
cattle feed or even cattle feed contaminated with prion-infected human remains.1
However, strong support for a genetic origin of BSE has recently been
demonstrated in an H-type BSE case exhibiting the novel mutation E211K.2
Furthermore, a specific prion protein strain causing BSE in cattle is believed
to be the etiological agent responsible for the novel human prion disease,
variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).3 Cases of vCJD have been identified in
a number countries, including France, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada,
Japan, US and the UK with the largest number of cases. Naturally occurring
feline spongiform encephalopathy of domestic cats4 and spongiform
encephalopathies of a number of zoo animals so-called exotic ungulate
encephalopathies5,6 are also recognized as animal prion diseases, and are
thought to have resulted from the same BSE-contaminated food given to cattle and
humans, although and at least in some of these cases, a sporadic and/or genetic
etiology cannot be ruled out. The canine species seems to display resistance to
prion disease and no single case has so far been reported.7,8 Here, we describe
a case of a 9 week old male Rottweiler puppy presenting neurological deficits;
and histological examination revealed spongiform vacuolation characteristic of
those associated with prion diseases.9 Initial biochemical studies using
anti-PrP antibodies revealed the presence of partially proteinase K-resistant
fragment by western blotting. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed
spongiform degeneration consistent with those found in prion disease and
displayed staining for PrPSc in the cortex.
Of major importance, PrPSc isolated from the Rottweiler was able to cross
the species barrier transmitted to hamster in vitro with PMCA and in vivo (one
hamster out of 5). Futhermore, second in vivo passage to hamsters, led to 100%
attack rate (n = 4) and animals displayed untypical lesional profile and shorter
incubation period.
In this study, we show that the canine species might be sensitive to prion
disease and that PrPSc isolated from a dog can be transmitted to dogs and
hamsters in vitro using PMCA and in vivo to hamsters.
If our preliminary results are confirmed, the proposal will have a major
impact on animal and public health and would certainly lead to implementing new
control measures for ‘canine spongiform encephalopathy’ (CSE).
References 1. Colchester AC, Colchester NT. The origin of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy: the human prion disease hypothesis. Lancet 2005; 366:856-61;
PMID:16139661; http://
dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67218-2.
2. Richt JA, Hall SM. BSE case associated with prion protein gene mutation.
PLoS Pathog 2008; 4:e1000156; PMID:18787697; http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.
ppat.1000156.
3. Collinge J. Human prion diseases and bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE). Hum Mol Genet 1997; 6:1699-705; PMID:9300662; http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/
hmg/6.10.1699.
4. Wyatt JM, Pearson GR, Smerdon TN, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Wells GA, Wilesmith
JW. Naturally occurring scrapie-like spongiform encephalopathy in five domestic
cats. Vet Rec 1991; 129:233-6; PMID:1957458; http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.129.11.233.
5. Jeffrey M, Wells GA. Spongiform encephalopathy in a nyala (Tragelaphus
angasi). Vet Pathol 1988; 25:398-9; PMID:3232315; http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/030098588802500514.
6. Kirkwood JK, Wells GA, Wilesmith JW, Cunningham AA, Jackson SI.
Spongiform encephalopathy in an arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and a greater kudu
(Tragelaphus strepsiceros). Vet Rec 1990; 127:418-20; PMID:2264242.
7. Bartz JC, McKenzie DI, Bessen RA, Marsh RF, Aiken JM. Transmissible mink
encephalopathy species barrier effect between ferret and mink: PrP gene and
protein analysis. J Gen Virol 1994; 75:2947-53; PMID:7964604; http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-
75-11-2947.
8. Lysek DA, Schorn C, Nivon LG, Esteve-Moya V, Christen B, Calzolai L, et
al. Prion protein NMR structures of cats, dogs, pigs, and sheep. Proc Natl Acad
Sci U S A 2005; 102:640-5; PMID:15647367; http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0408937102.
9. Budka H. Neuropathology of prion diseases. Br Med Bull 2003; 66:121-30;
PMID:14522854; http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bmb/66.1.121.
Monday, March 26, 2012
CANINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY: A NEW FORM OF ANIMAL PRION DISEASE
http://caninespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2012/03/canine-spongiform-encephalopathy-new.html
Monday, March 8, 2010
Canine Spongiform Encephalopathy aka MAD DOG DISEASE
=======================================
2013
Strain characteristics of the in vitro-adapted rabbit and dog BSE agent
remained invariable with respect to the original cattle BSE prion, suggesting
that the naturally low susceptibility of rabbits and dogs to prion infections
should not alter their zoonotic potential if these animals became infected with
BSE.
=======================================
Neurobiology of Disease
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Induces Misfolding of Alleged
Prion-Resistant Species Cellular Prion Protein without Altering Its
Pathobiological Features
Enric Vidal3, Natalia Fernández-Borges1, Belén Pintado4, Montserrat
Ordóñez3, Mercedes Márquez6, Dolors Fondevila5,6, Juan María Torres7, Martí
Pumarola5,6, and Joaquín Castilla1,2 + Author Affiliations
1CIC bioGUNE, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain,
2IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain,
3Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona (UAB)-IRTA, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain,
4Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049
Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain,
5Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, UAB, 08193
Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain,
6Murine Pathology Unit, Centre de Biotecnologia Animal i Teràpia Gènica,
UAB, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain, and
7Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal-Instituto Nacional de
Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, 28130 Valdeolmos, Madrid,
Spain
Author contributions: E.V., N.F.-B., and J.C. designed research; E.V.,
N.F.-B., B.P., M.O., M.M., D.F., and J.C. performed research; E.V., N.F.-B.,
B.P., and J.C. contributed unpublished reagents/analytic tools; E.V., N.F.-B.,
B.P., M.O., M.M., D.F., J.M.T., M.P., and J.C. analyzed data; E.V. and J.C.
wrote the paper.
Abstract
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions were responsible for an
unforeseen epizootic in cattle which had a vast social, economic, and public
health impact. This was primarily because BSE prions were found to be
transmissible to humans. Other species were also susceptible to BSE either by
natural infection (e.g., felids, caprids) or in experimental settings (e.g.,
sheep, mice). However, certain species closely related to humans, such as canids
and leporids, were apparently resistant to BSE. In vitro prion amplification
techniques (saPMCA) were used to successfully misfold the cellular prion protein
(PrPc) of these allegedly resistant species into a BSE-type prion protein. The
biochemical and biological properties of the new prions generated in vitro after
seeding rabbit and dog brain homogenates with classical BSE were studied.
Pathobiological features of the resultant prion strains were determined after
their inoculation into transgenic mice expressing bovine and human PrPC. Strain
characteristics of the in vitro-adapted rabbit and dog BSE agent remained
invariable with respect to the original cattle BSE prion, suggesting that the
naturally low susceptibility of rabbits and dogs to prion infections should not
alter their zoonotic potential if these animals became infected with BSE. This
study provides a sound basis for risk assessment regarding prion diseases in
purportedly resistant species.
Received January 18, 2013. Revision received March 7, 2013. Accepted March
23, 2013. Copyright © 2013 the authors 0270-6474/13/337778-09$15.00/0
2005
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Area 307, London, SW1P 4PQ Telephone: 0207 904 6000 Direct line: 0207 904
6287 E-mail: h.mcdonagh.defra.gsi.gov.uk
GTN: FAX:
Mr T S Singeltary P.O. Box 42 Bacliff Texas USA 77518
21 November 2001
Dear Mr Singeltary
TSE IN HOUNDS
Thank you for e-mail regarding the hounds survey. I am sorry for the long
delay in responding.
As you note, the hound survey remains unpublished. However the Spongiform
Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), the UK Government's independent
Advisory Committee on all aspects related to BSE-like disease, gave the hound
study detailed consideration at their meeting in January 1994. As a summary of
this meeting published in the BSE inquiry noted, the Committee were clearly
concerned about the work that had been carried out, concluding that there had
clearly been problems with it, particularly the control on the histology, and
that it was more or less inconclusive. However was agreed that there should be a
re-evaluation of the pathological material in the study.
Later, at their meeting in June 95, The Committee re-evaluated the hound
study to see if any useful results could be gained from it. The Chairman
concluded that there were varying opinions within the Committee on further work.
It did not suggest any further transmission studies and thought that the lack of
clinical data was a major weakness.
Overall, it is clear that SEAC had major concerns about the survey as
conducted. As a result it is likely that the authors felt that it would not
stand up to r~eer review and hence it was never published. As noted above, and
in the detailed minutes of the SEAC meeting in June 95, SEAC considered whether
additional work should be performed to examine dogs for evidence of TSE
infection. Although the Committee had mixed views about the merits of conducting
further work, the Chairman noted that when the Southwood Committee made their
recommendation to complete an assessment of possible spongiform disease in dogs,
no TSEs had been identified in other species and hence dogs were perceived as a
high risk population and worthy of study. However subsequent to the original
recommendation, made in 1990, a number of other species had been identified with
TSE ( e.g. cats) so a study in hounds was less
critical. For more details see- http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1995/06/21005001.pdf
As this study remains unpublished, my understanding is that the ownership
of the data essentially remains with the original researchers. Thus
unfortunately, I am unable to help with your request to supply information on
the hound survey directly. My only suggestion is that you contact one of the
researchers originally involved in the project, such as Gerald Wells. He can be
contacted at the following address.
Dr Gerald Wells, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone,
Surrey, KT 15 3NB, UK
You may also wish to be aware that since November 1994 all suspected cases
of spongiform encephalopathy in animals and poultry were made notifiable. Hence
since that date there has been a requirement for vets to report any suspect SE
in dogs for further investigation. To date there has never been positive
identification of a TSE in a dog.
I hope this is helpful
Yours sincerely 4
HUGH MCDONAGH BSE CORRESPONDENCE SECTION
======================================
HOUND SURVEY
I am sorry, but I really could have been a co-signatory of Gerald's
minute.
I do NOT think that we can justify devoting any resources to this study,
especially as larger and more important projects such as the pathogenesis study
will be quite demanding.
If there is a POLITICAL need to continue with the examination of hound
brains then it should be passed entirely to the VI Service.
J W WILESMITH Epidemiology Unit 18 October 1991
Mr. R Bradley
cc: Mr. G A H Wells
3.3. Mr R J Higgins in conjunction with Mr G A Wells and Mr A C Scott would
by the end of the year, indentify the three brains that were from the
''POSITIVE'' end of the lesion spectrum.
TSE in dogs have not been documented simply because OF THE ONLY STUDY,
those brain tissue samples were screwed up too. see my investigation of this
here, and to follow, later follow up, a letter from defra, AND SEE SUSPICIOUS
BRAIN TISSUE SAF's. ...TSS
TSE & HOUNDS
GAH WELLS (very important statement here...TSS)
HOUND STUDY
AS implied in the Inset 25 we must not _ASSUME_ that transmission of BSE to
other species will invariably present pathology typical of a scrapie-like
disease.
snip...
76 pages on hound study;
snip...
The spongiform changes were not pathognomonic (ie. conclusive proof) for
prion disease, as they were atypical, being largely present in white matter
rather than grey matter in the brain and spinal cord. However, Tony Scott, then
head of electron microscopy work on TSEs, had no doubt that these SAFs were
genuine and that these hounds therefore must have had a scrapie-like disease. I
reviewed all the sections myself (original notes appended) and although the
pathology was not typical, I could not exclude the possibility that this was a
scrapie-like disorder, as white matter vacuolation is seen in TSEs and Wallerian
degeneration was also present in the white matter of the hounds, another feature
of scrapie.
38.I reviewed the literature on hound neuropathology, and discovered that
micrographs and descriptive neuropathology from papers on 'hound ataxia'
mirrored those in material from Robert Higgins' hound survey. Dr Tony Palmer
(Cambridge) had done much of this work, and I obtained original sections from
hound ataxia cases from him. This enabled me provisionally to conclude that
Robert Higgins had in all probability detected hound ataxia, but also that hound
ataxia itself was possibly a TSE. Gerald Wells confirmed in 'blind' examination
of single restricted microscopic fields that there was no distinction between
the white matter vacuolation present in BSE and scrapie cases, and that
occurring in hound ataxia and the hound survey cases.
39.Hound ataxia had reportedly been occurring since the 1930's, and a known
risk factor for its development was the feeding to hounds of downer cows, and
particularly bovine offal. Circumstantial evidence suggests that bovine offal
may also be causal in FSE, and TME in mink. Despite the inconclusive nature of
the neuropathology, it was clearly evident that this putative canine spongiform
encephalopathy merited further investigation.
40.The inconclusive results in hounds were never confirmed, nor was the
link with hound ataxia pursued. I telephoned Robert Higgins six years after he
first sent the slides to CVL. I was informed that despite his submitting a
yearly report to the CVO including the suggestion that the hound work be
continued, no further work had been done since 1991. This was surprising, to say
the very least.
41.The hound work could have provided valuable evidence that a scrapie-like
agent may have been present in cattle offal long before the BSE epidemic was
recognised. The MAFF hound survey remains unpublished.
Histopathological support to various other published MAFF experiments
42.These included neuropathological examination of material from
experiments studying the attempted transmission of BSE to chickens and pigs (CVL
1991) and to mice (RVC 1994).
It was thought likely that at least some, and probably all, of the cases in
zoo animals were caused by the BSE agent. Strong support for this hypothesis
came from the findings of Bruce and others (1994) ( Bruce, M.E., Chree, A.,
McConnell, I., Foster, J., Pearson, G. & Fraser, H. (1994) Transmission of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie to mice: strain variation and
species barrier. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 343, 405-411:
J/PTRSL/343/405 ), who demonstrated that the pattern of variation in incubation
period and lesion profile in six strains of mice inoculated with brain
homogenates from an affected kudu and the nyala, was similar to that seen when
this panel of mouse strains was inoculated with brain from cattle with BSE. The
affected zoo bovids were all from herds that were exposed to feeds that were
likely to have contained contaminated ruminant-derived protein and the zoo
felids had been exposed, if only occasionally in some cases, to tissues from
cattle unfit for human consumption.
snip...
NEW URL ;
Friday, March 8, 2013
Dogs may have been used to make Petfood and animal feed
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Weld County Bi-Products dba Fort Morgan Pet Foods 6/1/12 significant
deviations from requirements in FDA regulations that are intended to reduce the
risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) within the United States
Comment from Terry Singeltary This is a Comment on the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Notice: Draft Guidance for Industry on Ensuring Safety of
Animal Feed Maintained and Fed On-Farm; Availability
For related information, Open Docket Folder Docket folder icon
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Comment View document:
Guidance for Industry Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed Maintained and Fed
On-Farm Draft Guidance FDA-2014-D-1180 Singeltary Comment
Greetings FDA et al,
I wish to comment on Guidance for Industry Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed
Maintained and Fed On-Farm Draft Guidance FDA-2014-D-1180.
Once again, I wish to kindly bring up the failed attempt of the FDA and the
ruminant to ruminant mad cow feed ban of August 4, 1997. This feed ban is still
failing today, as we speak. Even more worrisome, is the fact it is still legal
to feed cervids to cervids in the USA, in fact, the FDA only _recommends_ that
deer and elk considered to be of _high_ risk for CWD do not enter the animal
food chain, but there is NO law, its only voluntary, a recipe for a TSE prion
disaster, as we have seen with the ruminant to ruminant feed ban for cattle,
where in 2007, one decade post August 1997 mad cow feed ban, where in 2007
10,000,000 POUNDS OF BANNED BLOOD LACED MEAT AND BONE MEAL WHEN OUT INTO
COMMERCE, TO BE FED OUT. Since 2007, these BSE feed ban rules have been breached
time and time again. tons and tons of mad cow feed went out in Alabama as well,
where one of the mad cows were documented, just the year before in 2006, and in
2013 and 2014, breaches so bad (OAI) Official Action Indicated were issued.
those are like the one issued where 10 million pounds of banned blood laced meat
and bone meal were fed out.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
European red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) are susceptible to Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE by Oral Alimentary route
I strenuously once again urge the FDA and its industry constituents, to
make it MANDATORY that all ruminant feed be banned to all ruminants, and this
should include all cervids as soon as possible for the following
reasons...
======
In the USA, under the Food and Drug Administrations BSE Feed Regulation (21
CFR 589.2000) most material (exceptions include milk, tallow, and gelatin) from
deer and elk is prohibited for use in feed for ruminant animals. With regards to
feed for non-ruminant animals, under FDA law, CWD positive deer may not be used
for any animal feed or feed ingredients. For elk and deer considered at high
risk for CWD, the FDA recommends that these animals do not enter the animal feed
system.
***However, this recommendation is guidance and not a requirement by law.
======
31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT
*** Ruminant feed ban for cervids in the United States? ***
31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT
Monday, October 26, 2015
*** FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED
VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OIA UPDATE October 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
*** Susceptibility of cattle to the agent of chronic wasting disease from
elk after intracranial inoculation
Friday, August 14, 2015
*** Carcass Management During a Mass Animal Health Emergency Draft
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—August 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
*** Host Determinants of Prion Strain Diversity Independent of Prion
Protein Genotype
Friday, August 28, 2015
*** Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Diagnostics and subclinical
infection ***
Thursday, November 05, 2015
TPW Commission Adopts Interim Deer Breeder Movement Rules
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
3:59 PM
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