Thursday, July 10, 2025

Modelling the effect of genotype (PRNP) linked to susceptibility, infection duration and prion shedding on chronic wasting disease dynamics of cervids

 Modelling the effect of genotype (PRNP) linked to susceptibility, infection duration and prion shedding on chronic wasting disease dynamics of cervids

Author links open overlay panel Atle Mysterud a b † , Magnus Nygård Osnes c † , Katharine Rose Dean c , Stefan Widgren d , Michael A. Tranulis e , Hildegunn Viljugrein c a
Highlights
• The prion protein gene (PRNP) can change chronic wasting disease (CWD) dynamics.
• A stochastic SEID-model was developed to explore the impacts of different PRNP-alleles.
• Reduced susceptibility and level of shedding slowed epidemics.
• Longer duration of infection and prion shedding led to more persistent epidemics.
Abstract
Host genetics affect their susceptibility to pathogens and their ability to transmit infections (contagiousness). Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a lethal prion disease of cervids with a wide distribution in North America, and with the first detection in Europe among reindeer in Norway in 2016. The PRNP gene, encoding the prion protein, has a strong impact on host susceptibility, and the duration and level of prion shedding. We developed a Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Dead (SEID) model to enhance our understanding of how PRNP genotype variation influences CWD dynamics. In a baseline model with only highly susceptible PRNP alleles, CWD prevalence reached a high level before the population collapsed. We sequentially introduced PRNP heterogeneity in susceptibility (Scenario 1), the duration of prion shedding (Scenario 2), and amount of prion shedding (Scenario 3). Heterogeneity in susceptibility alone (Scenario 1) led to a slow increase in CWD prevalence towards its peak, followed by a gradual decline and eventual epidemic die-out. Increasing the infection duration with constant shedding for the less susceptible PRNP genotypes (Scenario 2) led to a high and persistent CWD-prevalence level. When combining low-susceptibility PRNP alleles and increased duration of shedding but at lower levels (Scenario 3), the prevalence of CWD peaked slowly compared to the other scenarios. Hence, variation in PRNP allele composition can yield qualitatively different CWD epidemics among populations. Our ability to predict the long-term effects of CWD remains limited, primarily due to uncertainty about shedding patterns, environmental contamination, and other factors associated with PRNP-alleles that may limit selection.
Snip…
4.7. Management implications
PRNP guided selection of breeding rams has played a key role in the successful reduction of classical scrapie in sheep in Europe (Tranulis, 2002; Dawson et al., 2008). The limited effectiveness and unpopularity of CWD management actions (Uehlinger et al., 2016), such as hunter-harvest or culling, makes PRNP-guided breeding programs appealing. Breeding programs have been conducted for CWD in captive populations of deer in North America (Haley et al., 2021). In 2024, Oklahoma, USA, state legislature passed a bill called the “Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act” to breed white-tailed deer for more resistant genetics with the intent to release farm-raised deer that possess more resistant genetics into the wild (Bostian, 2024). Similarly, influential veterinarians in Norway have suggested to breed robust reindeer for release into the depopulated and fallowed area of Nordfjella (Mysterud et al., 2024). However, our paper highlights several important and persisting gaps in knowledge that limited our ability to predict the role of PRNP in CWD dynamics for reindeer and other cervids. Hence, caution should be taken when applying these findings to real-world situations.
“However, our paper highlights several important and persisting gaps in knowledge that limited our ability to predict the role of PRNP in CWD dynamics for reindeer and other cervids. Hence, caution should be taken when applying these findings to real-world situations.”
That’s an understatement imo…terry
Volume 30, Number 10—October 2024
Research
Temporal Characterization of Prion Shedding in Secreta of White-Tailed Deer in Longitudinal Study of Chronic Wasting Disease, United State
Our findings suggest that deer expressing alternative PRNP polymorphisms might live longer and, although they shed fewer prions throughout CWD course, might over their extended lifespan increase CWD prions in the environment…
Prion protein gene sequence and chronic wasting disease susceptibility in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Adam L Brandt, Amy C Kelly, Michelle L Green, Paul Shelton, Jan Novakofski & Nohra E Mateus-Pinilla
Pages 449-462 | Received 21 Sep 2015, Accepted 23 Oct 2015, Published online: 21 Dec 2015 https://doi.org/10.1080/19336896.2015.1115179
The presence of aa96S has been associated with slowed disease progression, longer life span among captive deer,Citation26,27 and does not appear to affect the rate at which prions are shed from infected individuals.Citation38 Additionally, CWD infected mule deer have been found to excrete pathogenic prions while asymptomatic.Citation39 This contributes to concerns that wild deer with aa96S may be shedding infectious prions into the environment for longer periods of time than deer lacking the mutation, but are not symptomatic or detectable by immunohistochemical procedures.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2015.1115179#d1e354
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4964855/pdf/kprn-09-06-1115179.pdf
''There are no known familial or genetic TSEs of animals, although polymorphisms in the PRNP gene of some species (sheep for example) may influence the length of the incubation period and occurrence of disease.''
c) The commonest form of CJD occurs as a sporadic disease, the cause of which is unknown, although genetic factors (particularly the codon 129 polymorphism in the prion protein gene (PRNP)) influence disease susceptibility. The familial forms of human TSEs (see Box 1) appear to have a solely genetic origin and are closely associated with mutations or insertions in the PRNP gene. Most, but not all, of the familial forms of human TSEs have been transmitted experimentally to animals. There are no known familial or genetic TSEs of animals, although polymorphisms in the PRNP gene of some species (sheep for example) may influence the length of the incubation period and occurrence of disease.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209755/Part_1_-_Introduction.pdf
P-145 Estimating chronic wasting disease resistance in cervids using real time quaking- induced conversion
Nicholas J Haley1, Rachel Rielinqer2, Kristen A Davenport3, W. David Walter4, Katherine I O'Rourke5, Gordon Mitchell6, Juergen A Richt2 1
Our studies demonstrate that in vitro amplification metrics predict in vivo susceptibility, and that alleles with multiple codons, each influencing resistance independently, do not necessarily contribute additively to resistance. Importantly, we found that the white-tailed deer 226K substrate exhibited the slowest amplification rate among those evaluated, suggesting that further investigation of this allele and its resistance in vivo are warranted to determine if absolute resistance to CWD is possible. ***at present, no cervid PrP allele conferring absolute resistance to prion infection has been identified.
PRION 2016 CONFERENCE TOKYO
http://prion2016.org/dl/newsletter_03.pdf
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2017/04/
***> at present, no PrPC allele conferring absolute resistance in cervids has been identified.
J Gen Virol. 2017 Nov; 98(11): 2882–2892.
Published online 2017 Oct 23. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000952
Estimating chronic wasting disease susceptibility in cervids using real-time quaking-induced conversion
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) resistance in cervids is often characterized as decreased prevalence and/or protracted disease progression in individuals with specific alleles; at present, no PrPC allele conferring absolute resistance in cervids has been identified.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845664/pdf/jgv-98-2882.pdf
SUNDAY, MAY 04, 2025
Texas Senate Bill 2651 establishment of a pilot program to breed deer resistant to CWD TSE Prion, what could go wrong?
Texas S.B. 2843 Directs TPWD to conduct a comprehensive study of current measures to control chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer
Trying to legislate CWD is what got Texas in this CWD mess to begin with, how did that work out$$$ Legislators and Politicians need to stay away and let TPWD and TAHC et try and contain this mess that Legislators and Politicians got us in, imo, called CWD TSE Prion…terry
THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Oklahoma HB3462 Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act and Legislating CWD Science
Indiana trying to legislate and GMO itself from CWD, instead fixing the problems$$$
INDIANA SENATE BILL 32 Prevention of chronic wasting disease. Requires the department of natural resources to establish a pilot program to combat chronic wasting disease in deer
INDIANA SENATE BILL No. 32
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 14-22-34.5.
Synopsis: Prevention of chronic wasting disease. Requires the
department of natural resources to establish a pilot program to combat
chronic wasting disease in deer.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Glick
January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
snip...
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" means the
chronic wasting disease pilot program established under section 4 of this chapter.
Sec. 4. Not later than December 31, 2025, the department shall establish the chronic wasting disease pilot program to enhance the genetic durability of Indiana's white-tailed deer population.
Sec. 5. The department shall do the following:
(1) Collect DNA samples to establish a baseline of average genetic codon markers and genomic breeding values for native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer.
(2) Establish a testing location for DNA samples collected from native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer.
(3) Create andoperate a captive breedingprogramfor native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer that:
(A) identifies white-tailed deer genetically resistant to chronic wasting disease by assigning white tailed deer a genomically estimated breeding value (GEBV);
(B) breeds the genetically resistant white-tailed deer to increase the population's genetic resistance to chronic wasting disease; and
(C) releases the bred female and male white-tailed deer between February and April 2027.
(4) Take any additional action necessary to establish and operate the pilot program.
Sec. 6.(a) The department may sell white-tailed deer bred from the pilot program for five hundred dollars ($500) per deer.
(b) The departmentshall notsell more than fifty percent (50%) of the bred white-tailed deer from the pilot program.
Sec. 7. Funds collected from the sale of white-tailed deer bred from the pilot program shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife fund.
Sec. 8. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter.
Sec. 9. This chapter expires January 1, 2028.
Votes
Status
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: Introduced on January 8 2025 - 25% progression
Action: 2025-01-08 - First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources
Pending: Senate Natural Resources Committee
Hearing: Jan 13 @ 2:30 pm in Room 130
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
Prevention of chronic wasting disease. Requires the department of natural resources to establish a pilot program to combat chronic wasting disease in deer.
Research

playing with fire imo...terry

“If slower disease progression results in longer-lived, infected deer with longer periods of infectiousness, resistance may lead to increased disease transmission rates, higher prion concentrations in the environment, and increased prevalence, as has been observed in some captive deer herds (Miller et al., 2006; Keane et al., 2008a).”
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Indiana Second positive case of chronic wasting disease confirmed
LEGISLATING CWD TSE Prion, Bills to release Genetically Modified Cervid into the wild, what could go wrong?
“If slower disease progression results in longer-lived, infected deer with longer periods of infectiousness, resistance may lead to increased disease transmission rates, higher prion concentrations in the environment, and increased prevalence, as has been observed in some captive deer herds (Miller et al., 2006; Keane et al., 2008a).”
Genetic susceptibility to chronic wasting disease in free-ranging white-tailed deer: Complement component C1q and Prnp polymorphisms§
Julie A. Blanchong a, *, Dennis M. Heisey b , Kim T. Scribner c , Scot V. Libants d , Chad Johnson e , Judd M. Aiken e , Julia A. Langenberg f , Michael D. Samuel g
snip...
Identifying the genetic basis for heterogeneity in disease susceptibility or progression can improve our understanding of individual variation in disease susceptibility in both free-ranging and captive populations. What this individual variation in disease susceptibility means for the trajectory of disease in a population, however, is not straightforward. For example, the greater, but not complete, resistance to CWD in deer with at least one Serine (S) at amino acid 96 of the Prnp gene appears to be associated with slower progression of disease (e.g., Johnson et al., 2006; Keane et al., 2008a). If slower disease progression results in longer-lived, infected deer with longer periods of infectiousness, resistance may lead to increased disease transmission rates, higher prion concentrations in the environment, and increased prevalence, as has been observed in some captive deer herds (Miller et al., 2006; Keane et al., 2008a). Alternatively, if the slower progression of disease in resistant deer is not associated with longer periods of infectiousness, but might instead indicate a higher dose of PrPCWD is required for infection, transmission rates in the population could decline especially if, as in Wisconsin, deer suffer high rates of mortality from other sources (e.g., hunting). Clearly, determining the relationship between genetic susceptibility to infection, dose requirements, disease progression, and the period of PrPCWD infectiousness are key components for understanding the consequences of CWD to free-ranging populations.
Volume 30, Number 10—October 2024
Research
Temporal Characterization of Prion Shedding in Secreta of White-Tailed Deer in Longitudinal Study of Chronic Wasting Disease, United States
Our findings suggest that deer expressing alternative PRNP polymorphisms might live longer and, although they shed fewer prions throughout CWD course, might over their extended lifespan increase CWD prions in the environment
Looks like another game of TSE Prion Poker is about to play out $$$
CWD Status Captive Herds
re-Deer farmers want to use genetics to address chronic wasting disease in Senate bill 32
Greetings WFYI et al
be very careful playing with mother nature, and making CWD last longer in cervids, thus, longer shedding of CWD into the environment, that could come back 10 fold. once the TSE Prion CWD GENIE is out of the bottle, you can't put it back in.
please let me elaborate on all this. it's long, but i think you all might be enlightened a bit on the whole mess, i.e. Transmission Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE Prion disease. hope so anyway.
i hope you find this information useful.
warmest regards, terry
re-Deer farmers want to use genetics to address chronic wasting disease in Senate bill
***> at present, no PrPC allele conferring absolute resistance in cervids has been identified.
***> “If slower disease progression results in longer-lived, infected deer with longer periods of infectiousness, resistance may lead to increased disease transmission rates, higher prion concentrations in the environment, and increased prevalence, as has been observed in some captive deer herds (Miller et al., 2006; Keane et al., 2008a).”
snip…end
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025
***> US Captive CWD Positive Herds Update April 2025
terry 

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 4:26 PM 0 Comments

Distribution of chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in tissues from experimentally exposed coyotes (Canis latrans) Published: July 9, 2025

Distribution of chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in tissues from experimentally exposed coyotes (Canis latrans) Published: July 9, 2025
Abstract
Cervids susceptible to chronic wasting disease (CWD) are sympatric with multiple other animal species that can interact with infectious prions. Several reports have described the susceptibility of other species to CWD prions, or their potential to transport them. One of these species is the coyote (Canis latrans), which has been previously shown to pass transmission-relevant prion titers in their feces for at least three days after ingesting prion-positive brain material. The current study followed up on these findings and evaluated the distribution of prions in multiple tissues from the same coyotes. Our results show that prions persist in the digestive tract of prion-exposed coyotes five days after exposure. Moreover, prion seeding activity was identified in other tissues, including lymph nodes and lungs. These results provide additional information about the dynamics of CWD prions in the environment and show the initial fate of prions after ingestion by a canid species that is a carnivorous predator and scavenger.
Snip…
Despite the strong species barriers, predators and scavengers may still be relevant as spreaders of infectious prion particles. In fact, both experimental research and natural observations indicate that insects, parasites, and various wild and domestic animals that co-exist with cervids can act as passive carriers of CWD prions [16–23]. For example, coyotes (Canis latrans) are relevant deer predators and scavengers. Previous studies showed that coyotes fed with an elk brain infected with CWD passed prions through their feces for at least three days after ingestion [23]. Similar observations were reported for cougars (Puma concolor) [21]. In contrast, crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) passed prions for only few hours after ingesting infected materials [22]. Importantly, previous research in coyotes and cougars suggest that excreted prions contain decreased infectivity titers compared with the ingested material, suggesting that infectious particles are being retained in tissues within these animals, or degraded. In natural settings, prions have been identified in scat from multiple species of sympatric animals [20]. Overall, data indicates that predators and scavengers can excrete infectious prions after ingesting contaminated tissues. This, in turn, may contribute to the environmental spread of prions.
Snip…
Our results confirmed the previous results communicated by Nichols et al. [23] which found no CWD prions in feces collected before exposure, or in feces collected from coyotes treated with the CWD-free brain (Coyote #132 and Coyote #134, Fig 2). In contrast, prion seeding activity was readily detected in feces from the coyotes fed with prion-infected brains (Coyote #133, Coyote #135 and Coyote #137, Fig 2). It is important to mention that CWD prions were only detected in feces after two or three PMCA rounds (Fig 3), irrespective of when the samples were collected. A single coyote (#133, Fig 3) provided signals at Day 1 in a second PMCA round, suggesting a higher load of prions at that specific time point. It is important to note that the previous study detected prions in coyotes’ feces only on days one and two after CWD exposure, demonstrating the increased sensitivity of the PMCA format used here. These changes in sensitivity may be due to different factors, including the addition of digitonin and Teflon beads that increase the sensitivity and reproducibility of this prion amplification method [28].
Previous reports by us [25] and others [24] used prion amplification assays to study the distribution of prions in animal tissues shortly after administration. Here, we tested nine separate tissue types (intestine, cecum, liver, tonsil, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, brain, lung and heart) from prion-exposed coyotes to explore similar paradigms. PMCA positive results were obtained from the cecum of the CWD-exposed animals, suggesting that prions are retained in this tissue several days after ingestion. The presence of CWD prions in the intestine of a single prion-exposed coyote (#135) further support the intestinal retention of ingested prions. Although gastrointestinal tissues were thoroughly washed to remove traces of ingested homogenate and feces from them, it is possible that some of the positive results observed were due to these materials. Nevertheless, positive signals were observed in tissues other than those of the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, CWD-prions were also identified in the tonsils and mesenteric lymph nodes of single CWD-exposed coyotes (#137 and #135, respectively). These results suggest that CWD-prions were internalized after ingestion and reached some lymphoid tissues. This is consistent with a previous report showing that CWD prions readily migrate to lymph nodes in white-tailed deer [24]. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that the direct contact of prions with tonsils, due to ingestion, can explain the detection of CWD prions for this particular tissue. Another tissue showing positive prion detection was the lung (Fig 2). The detection in this tissue was obtained in only one of the three replicates tested for two different animals (#135 and #137). Importantly, all tissues from the coyotes fed with the CWD-free brains did not provide positive signals in our prion amplification assay (Fig 2).
Discussion
Here, we confirmed previous findings [23] demonstrating that predators and scavengers can spread CWD prions via feces while retaining some infectious prions in their bodies. As previously suggested, these animals may act in a dual manner, by sequestering a low proportion of the infectious particles in their bodies while also disseminating transmission-relevant titers into the environment. We explored the fate of CWD prions after entering the coyotes’ bodies by testing multiple tissues five days after ingestion. We effectively found that a number of the tissues contained in vitro (PMCA) prion seeding activities, demonstrating that some of the ingested infectious particles are retained in these animals [21]. Although some studies show that prions can be degraded by elements of the digestive tract [31], others demonstrate that their binding to other particles such as soils protects them from this degradation [32]. Further studies should explore the potential role of gastrointestinal retention and degradation in the prion infectivity titers present in excreta and whether this varies in different animal species (specifically focused in ruminants and carnivore predators).
The role of wildlife species that share environments with cervids in the translocation of CWD via feces has been experimentally explored, as well as their ability to become infected by CWD prions. The latter creates a worrisome scenario as prions adapted in a new species may generate new prion strains of unknown infectivity and host ranges [7–9]. This possibility was not explored here, due to the short post-exposure periods of this study. Previous reports suggesting that canids are resistant to prion infection [33,34] makes this possibility unlikely. Regardless, our data demonstrate that a fraction of CWD prions ingested by coyotes are incorporated in their tissues, while larger levels are released in feces. The presumable reduction of prion titers after crossing the gastrointestinal tract of predators [23] suggest that the presence of coyotes in specific environments may be beneficial in reducing CWD prions. Along this line, the expanding geographic range of coyotes in North America [35] may result in additional benefits. However, the fact that infectious relevant levels of prions are released in coyotes’ feces several days post ingestion suggest that they might promote the environmental spreading of CWD. Considering this, evaluating the dual implications of the CWD-coyote interactions in the spread and prevalence of CWD will need substantial epidemiological and molecular research efforts.
It is important to clarify certain discrepancies between the findings found in the present study compared to those communicated in the original report [23]. First, the previous article by Nichols et al. used different PMCA settings compared to those used in the current study. Specifically, the current PMCA protocol results in a considerable higher sensitivity. This explains the fact that here we detected CWD-prions in feces for additional days after prion exposure compared to the first publication.
The results presented here provide additional information on the fate of CWD prions consumed by a canid mesopredator and sheds additional light on the potential role of cervid sympatric species, specifically predators, in the ecology of CWD.
MONDAY, JANUARY 08, 2024
CWD TSE Prion, using canine and feline species as a tool, as scavengers to contain disease, is a bad idea, here's why
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
Mountain lions, Wolves, Coyotes, could help stop the spread of CWD TSE Prion in deer, WHERE STUPID MEETS THE ROAD!
SUNDAY, JULY 07, 2013
Could avian scavengers translocate infectious prions to disease-free areas initiating new foci of chronic wasting disease?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Prion Remains Infectious after Passage through Digestive System of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Sunday, November 01, 2009
AS THE CROW FLIES, SO DOES CWD American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and potential spreading of CWD through feces of digested infectious carcases
Monday, July 13, 2009
Deer Carcass Decomposition and Potential Scavenger Exposure to Chronic Wasting Disease
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
These results provide strong evidence for the emergence of a novel strain of CWD after passage in meadow voles and raccoons. Therefore, interspecies transmission of CWD prions between cervids and noncervid species that share the same habitat might represent a confounding factor in CWD-management programs. In addition, passage of CWD prions through off-target species might represent a source of novel CWD strains with unknown biologic characteristics, including zoonotic potential. Characterization of the biologic behavior of CWD isolates after cross-species transmission will help us develop more effective management strategies for CWD-affected populations.
Research Project: Elucidating the Pathobiology and Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Project Number: 5030-32000-228-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Oct 1, 2021 End Date: Sep 30, 2026
Progress Report 2022 
***> The chronic wasting disease agent from white-tailed deer is highly infectious to humanized mice after passage through raccoons <***
8 The chronic wasting disease agent from white-tailed deer is infectious to humanized mice after passage through raccoons 
Eric Cassmann', Xu Qi?, Qingzhong Kong?, Justin Greenlee' 'USDA ARS, Ames, USA. 2Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA 
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the zoonotic potential of the raccoon passaged chronic wasting disease (CWD) agent in humanized transgenic mice in comparison with the North American CWD agent from the original white-tailed deer (WTD) host. Pooled brain (GG96) from CWD positive white-tailed deer was used to intracranially inoculate two WTD and one raccoon. Brain homogenates (10% w/v) from the raccoon and the WTD were used to intracranially inoculate transgenic mice (Tg40h) expressing the methionine 129 human prion protein. Brains and spleens were collected from mice at experimental endpoints of clinical disease or approximately 700 days post-inoculation. Tissues were divided and homogenized or fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. Immunohistochemistry, enzyme immunoassay, and western blot were used to detect misfolded prion protein (PrpSc) in tissue. Tg40h mice inoculated with the raccoon passaged CWD agent from WTD exhibited a 100% (12/12) attack rate with an average incubation period of 605 days. Prpsc was detected in brain tissue by enzyme immunoassay with an average optical density of 3.6/4.0 for positive brains. Prpsc also was detected in brain tissue by western blot and immunohistochemistry. No Prpsc was detected in the spleens of mice inoculated with the raccoon passaged CWD agent. Humanized mice inoculated with the CWD agent from WTD did not have detectable Prps using conventional immunoassay techniques. These results demonstrated that the host range of the CWD agent from WTD was expanded in our experimental model after one passage through raccoons.
Very low oral exposure to prions of brain or saliva origin can transmit chronic wasting disease
The minimum infectious dose required to induce CWD infection in cervids remains unknown, as does whether peripherally shed prions and/or multiple low dose exposures are important factors in CWD transmission. With the goal of better understand CWD infection in nature, we studied oral exposures of deer to very low doses of CWD prions and also examined whether the frequency of exposure or prion source may influence infection and pathogenesis. We orally inoculated white-tailed deer with either single or multiple divided doses of prions of brain or saliva origin and monitored infection by serial longitudinal tissue biopsies spanning over two years. We report that oral exposure to as little as 300 nanograms (ng) of CWD-positive brain or to saliva containing seeding activity equivalent to 300 ng of CWD-positive brain, were sufficient to transmit CWD disease. This was true whether the inoculum was administered as a single bolus or divided as three weekly 100 ng exposures. However, when the 300 ng total dose was apportioned as 10, 30 ng doses delivered over 12 weeks, no infection occurred. While low-dose exposures to prions of brain or saliva origin prolonged the time from inoculation to first detection of infection, once infection was established, we observed no differences in disease pathogenesis. These studies suggest that the CWD minimum infectious dose approximates 100 to 300 ng CWD-positive brain (or saliva equivalent), and that CWD infection appears to conform more with a threshold than a cumulative dose dynamic.
Snip…
In conclusion, we have attempted to model and better understand CWD infection relative to natural exposure. The results demonstrate: (a) that the minimum CWD oral infectious dose is vastly lower than historical studies used to establish infection; (b) that a direct relationship exists between dose and incubation time to first prion replication detection in tonsils, irrespective of genotype; (c) that a difference was not discernible between brain vs. saliva source prions in ability to establish infection or in resultant disease course; and (d) that the CWD infection process appears to conform more to a threshold dose than an accumulative dose dynamic.
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025
1st meeting of the TSE subgroup of the Animal Health Network event date: 25 November 2025
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
Redefining the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease Singeltary Review
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025
Texas CWD TSE Prion Cases Rises to 1099 Confirmed Cases To Date
FRIDAY, APRIL 04, 2025
Trucking CWD TSE Prion
“CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals.”
NOW HOLD YOUR HORSES, Chronic Wasting Disease CWD of Cervid can spread rather swiftly, traveling around 50 MPH, from the back of truck and trailer, and Here in Texas, we call it ‘Trucking CWD’…
Friday, February 21, 2025
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America February 2025
Camel Prion Disease
Friday, May 12, 2023
Camel prion disease, a new emerging disease in North Africa, Lymphoid Tropism, Neuropathological Characterization Update 2023
11th Iberian Congress on Prions Barcelona 2023
A Camelid Anti-PrP Antibody Abrogates PrPSc Replication in Prion-Permissive Neuroblastoma Cell Lines
Daryl Rhys Jones,William Alexander Taylor,Clive Bate,Monique David,Mourad Tayebi
Published: March 22, 2010
15 Apr 2018 23:13 GMT MOST RECENT
Prion Disease in Dromedary Camels, Algeria
Posted by flounder on 15 Apr 2018 at 23:13 GMT
kindest regards, terry

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 1:31 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, July 08, 2025

Addressing chronic wasting disease in Korean farms: topsoil removal and 2N NaOH treatment before cervid restocking

 Addressing chronic wasting disease in Korean farms: topsoil removal and 2N NaOH treatment before cervid restocking


Kyung-Je Park , Hoo-Chang Park , Yu-Ran Lee , In-Soon Roh , Gordon Mitchell , Young Pyo Choi …

Published online: 08 Jul 2025 Abstract

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly contagious prion disease occurring in free-ranging and farmed cervids. In the Republic of Korea, cases of CWD continue to be detected almost annually, on both new and occasionally previously infected farms. CWD-infected animals contaminate soil and other environmental components by shedding prions through their excreta. Since shed prions remain infectious for years in the environment, they can act as infectivity reservoirs facilitating horizontal transmission of CWD. To prevent the further spread of CWD and allow farms to resume operations, control measures on infected farms, including topsoil removal and thorough environmental treatment with 2N NaOH, have been implemented in the Republic of Korea. Restocking remediated farms with cervids was permitted after confirming the absence of prion seeding activity in soil samples using protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). A total of 215 samples from 18 remediated farms were collected and analysed using PMCA, with only 3 samples from 3 farms displaying prion seeding activity. While the disease control measures effectively eliminated prion seeding activity in CWD-affected farms, CWD recurred at two of the 18 remediated farms 4 to 5 years after restocking animals. It remains unclear whether the recurrence of CWD at the two farms was due to residual prions in the environment after the control measures, or the introduction of the infected animals from other farms. This uncertainty is heightened by the annual occurrence of CWD at multiple farms and the absence of a traceability system for farmed cervids.

Keywords: Chronic wasting disease (CWD); NaOH; Protein-misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA); Republic of Korea; farm; prions; remediation; topsoil.


“While the disease control measures effectively eliminated prion seeding activity in CWD-affected farms, CWD recurred at two of the 18 remediated farms 4 to 5 years after restocking animals.”

I remember what “deep throat” told me about Scrapie back around 2001, I never forgot, and it seems it’s come to pass;

***> Confidential!!!!

***> As early as 1992-3 there had been long studies conducted on small pastures containing scrapie infected sheep at the sheep research station associated with the Neuropathogenesis Unit in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whether these are documented...I don't know. But personal recounts both heard and recorded in a daily journal indicate that leaving the pastures free and replacing the topsoil completely at least 2 feet of thickness each year for SEVEN years....and then when very clean (proven scrapie free) sheep were placed on these small pastures.... the new sheep also broke out with scrapie and passed it to offspring. I am not sure that TSE contaminated ground could ever be free of the agent!! A very frightening revelation!!!

---end personal email---end...tss

and so it seems…

so, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

Rapid recontamination of a farm building occurs after attempted prion removal

First published: 19 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105054

The data illustrates the difficulty in decontaminating farm buildings from scrapie, and demonstrates the likely contribution of farm dust to the recontamination of these environments to levels that are capable of causing disease.

snip...

This study clearly demonstrates the difficulty in removing scrapie infectivity from the farm environment. Practical and effective prion decontamination methods are still urgently required for decontamination of scrapie infectivity from farms that have had cases of scrapie and this is particularly relevant for scrapie positive goatherds, which currently have limited genetic resistance to scrapie within commercial breeds.24 This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


Front. Vet. Sci., 14 September 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00032

Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

In conclusion, the results in the current study indicate that removal of furniture that had been in contact with scrapie-infected animals should be recommended, particularly since cleaning and decontamination may not effectively remove scrapie infectivity (31), even though infectivity declines considerably if the pasture and the field furniture have not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. As sPMCA failed to detect PrPSc in furniture that was subjected to weathering, even though exposure led to infection in sheep, this method may not always be reliable in predicting the risk of scrapie infection through environmental contamination.


"Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation."

15 YEARS!

Detection of prions in soils contaminated by multiple routes

Results: We are able to detect prion seeding activity at multiple types of environmental hotspots, including carcass sites, contaminated captive facilities, and scrapes (i.e. urine and saliva). Differences in relative prion concentration vary depending on the nature and source of the contamination. Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation.

Conclusions: Detection of prions in the environment is of the utmost importance for controlling chronic wasting disease spread. Here, we have demonstrated a viable method for detection of prions in complex environmental matrices. However, it is quite likely that this method underestimates the total infectious prion load in a contaminated sample, due to incomplete recovery of infectious prions. Further refinements are necessary for accurate quantification of prions in such samples, and to account for the intrinsic heterogeneities found in the broader environment.

Funded by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Prion 2023 Abstracts


SUNDAY, APRIL 06, 2025

Failure to prevent classical scrapie after repeated decontamination of a barn



CWD, So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

Detection of chronic wasting disease prions in the farm soil of the Republic of Korea

Here, we show that prion seeding activity was detected in extracts from farm soil following 4 years of incubation with CWD-infected brain homogenate.


"Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation."

Detection of prions in soils contaminated by multiple routes

Results: We are able to detect prion seeding activity at multiple types of environmental hotspots, including carcass sites, contaminated captive facilities, and scrapes (i.e. urine and saliva). Differences in relative prion concentration vary depending on the nature and source of the contamination. Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation.

Conclusions: Detection of prions in the environment is of the utmost importance for controlling chronic wasting disease spread. Here, we have demonstrated a viable method for detection of prions in complex environmental matrices. However, it is quite likely that this method underestimates the total infectious prion load in a contaminated sample, due to incomplete recovery of infectious prions. Further refinements are necessary for accurate quantification of prions in such samples, and to account for the intrinsic heterogeneities found in the broader environment.

Funded by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Prion 2023 Abstracts


Artificial mineral sites that pre-date endemic chronic wasting disease become prion hotspots

The detection of PrPCWD in soils at attractant sites within an endemic CWD zone significantly advances our understanding of environmental PrPCWD accumulation dynamics, providing valuable information for advancing adaptive CWD management approaches.


Chronic wasting disease detection in environmental and biological samples from a taxidermy site

Results: The PMCA analysis demonstrated CWD seeding activity in some of the components of this facility, including insects involved in head processing, soils, and a trash dumpster.

Conclusions: Different areas of this property were used for various taxidermy procedures. We were able to detect the presence of prions in i) soils that were in contact with the heads of dead animals, ii) insects involved in the cleaning of skulls, and iii) an empty dumpster where animal carcasses were previously placed. This is the first report demonstrating that swabbing is a helpful method to screen for prion infectivity on surfaces potentially contaminated with CWD. These findings are relevant as this swabbing and amplification strategy may be used to evaluate the disease status of other free-ranging and captive settings where there is a concern for CWD transmissions, such as at feeders and water troughs with CWD-exposed properties. This approach could have substantial implications for free-ranging cervid surveillance as well as in epidemiological investigations of CWD.

Prion 2022 Conference abstracts: pushing the boundaries



***> Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years

***> Nine of these recurrences occurred 14–21 years after culling, apparently as the result of environmental contamination, but outside entry could not always be absolutely excluded.

JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY Volume 87, Issue 12

Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years Free


Rapid recontamination of a farm building occurs after attempted prion removal

First published: 19 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105054

The data illustrates the difficulty in decontaminating farm buildings from scrapie, and demonstrates the likely contribution of farm dust to the recontamination of these environments to levels that are capable of causing disease. snip...

This study clearly demonstrates the difficulty in removing scrapie infectivity from the farm environment. Practical and effective prion decontamination methods are still urgently required for decontamination of scrapie infectivity from farms that have had cases of scrapie and this is particularly relevant for scrapie positive goatherds, which currently have limited genetic resistance to scrapie within commercial breeds.24 This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion

THE CWD 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

New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent: Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of replication


Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel Production


March 13, 2025

Prion Partitioning and Persistence in Environmental Waters


Prions in Waterways


Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a CWD-endemic area


A Quantitative Assessment of the Amount of Prion Diverted to Category 1 Materials and Wastewater During Processing


Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process of meat and bone meals


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

BSE infectivity survives burial for five years with only limited spread


So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

Detection of chronic wasting disease prions in the farm soil of the Republic of Korea

Here, we show that prion seeding activity was detected in extracts from farm soil following 4 years of incubation with CWD-infected brain homogenate.


"Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation."

Detection of prions in soils contaminated by multiple routes

Results: We are able to detect prion seeding activity at multiple types of environmental hotspots, including carcass sites, contaminated captive facilities, and scrapes (i.e. urine and saliva). Differences in relative prion concentration vary depending on the nature and source of the contamination. Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation.

Conclusions: Detection of prions in the environment is of the utmost importance for controlling chronic wasting disease spread. Here, we have demonstrated a viable method for detection of prions in complex environmental matrices. However, it is quite likely that this method underestimates the total infectious prion load in a contaminated sample, due to incomplete recovery of infectious prions. Further refinements are necessary for accurate quantification of prions in such samples, and to account for the intrinsic heterogeneities found in the broader environment.

Prion 2023 Abstracts


Artificial mineral sites that pre-date endemic chronic wasting disease become prion hotspots

The detection of PrPCWD in soils at attractant sites within an endemic CWD zone significantly advances our understanding of environmental PrPCWD accumulation dynamics, providing valuable information for advancing adaptive CWD management approaches.


Chronic wasting disease detection in environmental and biological samples from a taxidermy site

Results: The PMCA analysis demonstrated CWD seeding activity in some of the components of this facility, including insects involved in head processing, soils, and a trash dumpster.

Conclusions: Different areas of this property were used for various taxidermy procedures. We were able to detect the presence of prions in i) soils that were in contact with the heads of dead animals, ii) insects involved in the cleaning of skulls, and iii) an empty dumpster where animal carcasses were previously placed. This is the first report demonstrating that swabbing is a helpful method to screen for prion infectivity on surfaces potentially contaminated with CWD. These findings are relevant as this swabbing and amplification strategy may be used to evaluate the disease status of other free-ranging and captive settings where there is a concern for CWD transmissions, such as at feeders and water troughs with CWD-exposed properties. This approach could have substantial implications for free-ranging cervid surveillance as well as in epidemiological investigations of CWD.

Prion 2022 Conference abstracts: pushing the boundaries



***> Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years

***> Nine of these recurrences occurred 14–21 years after culling, apparently as the result of environmental contamination, but outside entry could not always be absolutely excluded.

JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY Volume 87, Issue 12

Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years Free


Rapid recontamination of a farm building occurs after attempted prion removal

First published: 19 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105054

The data illustrates the difficulty in decontaminating farm buildings from scrapie, and demonstrates the likely contribution of farm dust to the recontamination of these environments to levels that are capable of causing disease. snip...

This study clearly demonstrates the difficulty in removing scrapie infectivity from the farm environment. Practical and effective prion decontamination methods are still urgently required for decontamination of scrapie infectivity from farms that have had cases of scrapie and this is particularly relevant for scrapie positive goatherds, which currently have limited genetic resistance to scrapie within commercial breeds.24 This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


Aug 18, 2021

Oh, Deer

Heading Off a Wildlife Epidemic

CWD poses a significant threat to the future of hunting in Texas. Deer population declines of 45 and 50 percent have been documented in Colorado and Wyoming. A broad infection of Texas deer populations resulting in similar population impacts would inflict severe economic damage to rural communities and could negatively impact land markets. Specifically, those landowners seeking to establish a thriving herd of deer could avoid buying in areas with confirmed CWD infections. As they do with anthrax-susceptible properties, land brokers may find it advisable to inquire about the status of CWD infections on properties that they present for sale. Prospective buyers should also investigate the status of the wildlife on prospective properties. In addition, existing landowners should monitor developments as TPWD crafts management strategies to identify and contain this deadly disease.

Dr. Gilliland (c-gilliland@tamu.edu) is a research economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.


So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

CDC CWD TSE Prion Update 2025

KEY POINTS

Chronic wasting disease affects deer, elk and similar animals in the United States and a few other countries.

The disease hasn't been shown to infect people.

However, it might be a risk to people if they have contact with or eat meat from animals infected with CWD.


Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Research

Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

Snip…

In summary, the results of our study indicate that prions are widely distributed in peripheral and edible tissues of cervids in Norway, including muscles. This finding highlights the risk of human exposure to small amounts of prions through handling and consuming infected cervids. Nevertheless, we note that this study did not investigate the zoonotic potential of the Norway CWD prions. In North America, humans have historically consumed meat from CWD-infected animals, which has been documented to harbor prions (35,44–47). Despite the potential exposure to prions, no epidemiologic evidence indicates a correlation between the occurrence of CWD cases in animals and the prevalence of human prion diseases (48). A recent bioassay study reported no transmissions from 3 Nordic isolates into transgenic mice expressing human PrP (49). Therefore, our findings should be interpreted with caution in terms of human health implications, and further research is required to determine the zoonotic potential of these CWD strains.

The presence of prions in peripheral tissues indicates that CWD may have a systemic nature in all Norwegian cervid species, challenging the view that prions are exclusively localized in the CNS in sporadic CWD of moose and red deer. Our findings expand the notion of just how widely distributed prions can be in cervids affected with CWD and call into question the capability of emerging CWD strains in terms of infectivity to other species, including humans.

Appendix



Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Dispatch

Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Raw, Processed, and Cooked Elk Meat, Texas, USA

Rebeca Benavente, Fraser Brydon, Francisca Bravo-Risi, Paulina Soto, J. Hunter Reed, Mitch Lockwood, Glenn Telling, Marcelo A. Barria, and Rodrigo MoralesComments to Author

Snip…

CWD prions have been detected in the muscle of both farmed and wild deer (10), and at concentrations relevant to sustain disease transmission (11). CWD prions have also been identified across several cervid species and in multiple tissues, including lymph nodes, spleen, tongue, intestines, adrenal gland, eyes, reproductive tissues, ears, lungs, and liver, among others (12–14). Those findings raise concerns about the safety of ingesting processed meats that contain tissues other than skeletal muscle (15) (Appendix). https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-0906-app1.pdf .

In addition, those findings highlight the need for continued vigilance and research on the transmission risks of prion diseases and for development of new preventative and detection measures to ensure the safety of the human food supply.

Snip…

Overall, our study results confirm previous reports describing the presence of CWD prions in elk muscles (13). The data also demonstrated CWD prion persistence in food products even after processing through different procedures, including the addition of salts, spices, and other edible elements. Of note, our data show that exposure to high temperatures used to cook the meat increased the availability of prions for in vitro amplification. Considering the potential implications in food safety and public health, we believe that the findings described in this study warrant further research. Our results suggest that although the elk meat used in this study resisted different manipulations involved in subsequent consumption by humans, their zoonotic potential was limited. Nevertheless, even though no cases of CWD transmission to human have been reported, the potential for human infection is still unclear and continued monitoring for zoonotic potential is warranted.


Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025

Dispatch

Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United States

Abstract

Using a prion amplification assay, we identified prions in tissues from wild pigs (Sus scrofa) living in areas of the United States with variable chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology. Our findings indicate that scavenging swine could play a role in disseminating CWD and could therefore influence its epidemiology, geographic distribution, and interspecies spread.

Snip…

Conclusions In summary, results from this study showed that wild pigs are exposed to cervid prions, although the pigs seem to display some resistance to infection via natural exposure. Future studies should address the susceptibility of this invasive animal species to the multiple prion strains circulating in the environment. Nonetheless, identification of CWD prions in wild pig tissues indicated the potential for pigs to move prions across the landscape, which may, in turn, influence the epidemiology and geographic spread of CWD.


***> Price of TSE Prion Poker goes up substantially, all you cattle ranchers and such, better pay close attention here...terry <***

Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure

Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk.

Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi).

Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated.

Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material.

Funded by: This research was funded in its entirety by congressionally appropriated funds to the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. The funders of the work did not influence study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

"Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material."

=====end

Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice

Nuria Jerez-Garrido1, Sara Canoyra1, Natalia Fernández-Borges1, Alba Marín Moreno1, Sylvie L. Benestad2, Olivier Andreoletti3, Gordon Mitchell4, Aru Balachandran4, Juan María Torres1 and Juan Carlos Espinosa1. 1 Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain. 2 Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway. 3 UMR Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)/École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Toulouse, France. 4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.

Aims: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious prion disease that affects cervids. Various CWD prion strains have been identified in different cervid species from North America and Europe. The properties of the infectious prion strains are influenced by amino acid changes and polymorphisms in the PrP sequences of different cervid species. This study, aimed to assess the ability of a panel of CWD prion isolates from diverse cervid species from North America and Europe to infect bovine species, as well as to investigate the properties of the prion strains following the adaptation to the bovine-PrP context.

Materials and Methods: BoPrP-Tg110 mice overexpressing the bovine-PrP sequence were inoculated by intracranial route with a panel of CWD prion isolates from both North America (two white-tailed deer and two elk) and Europe (one reindeer, one moose and one red deer).

Results: Our results show distinct behaviours in the transmission of the CWD isolates to the BoPrP-Tg110 mouse model. Some of these isolates did not transmit even after the second passage. Those able to transmit displayed differences in terms of attack rate, survival times, biochemical properties of brain PrPres, and histopathology.

Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study.

Funded by: MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR

Grant number: PCI2020-120680-2 ICRAD

"Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study."

=====end


so, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

terry

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 12:47 PM 0 Comments