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Rapid Detection of CWD PrP: Comparison of Tests Designed for the Detection of BSE or Scrapie
Author(s) -
Blasche T.,
Schenck E. v.,
Balachandran A.,
Miller M. W.,
Langenberg J.,
Frölich K.,
Steinbach F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01294.x
Subject(s) - chronic wasting disease , transmissible spongiform encephalopathy , scrapie , odocoileus , biology , virology , prion protein , bovine spongiform encephalopathy , disease , zoology , pathology , medicine
Summary Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) mainly affecting cervids in North America. The accumulation of an abnormal form of host‐encoded prion protein (PrP CWD ) in the CNS and lymphoid tissues is characteristic of the disease and known to be caused by pathogenic prion proteins (PrP res ), which are thought to be transmitted mainly by contact with body fluids, such like saliva. Species known to be naturally infected by CWD include Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni ), white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ). Recently, large‐scale disease eradication or control programs have been attempted to curtail the spread of disease. But reports of diseased free‐ranging and farmed cervids in many locations in the USA and Canada are still continuing. The goal of this study was to find sensitive rapid test systems that are reliably able to detect CWD‐associated PrP CWD in cervids, thereby reviewing an important control tool in case the disease spreads further and reaches Europe. Seven tests, originally developed for the detection of other TSE diseases such as Scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, including two Western blots, four enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and one lateral flow device, were included in this study. All seven tests evaluated were able to detect pathogenic prion proteins (PrP CWD ) in Northern American infected animals and distinguish physiologic prion protein (PrP c ) in brainstem (obex region) and lymph node samples from North American and European cervids, respectively. However, the specificity and sensitivity of the tests differed significantly. Highly sensitive tests for the detection of prion proteins are an important tool both for the design of effective disease surveillance and control strategies and the safety of the food chain. Thus, this study contributes to the emergency preparedness against CWD.