BSE - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Question 1

Name two important transmissible TSE’s

Answer 1

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy - BSE

Scrapie in sheep

Question 2

Causative agent?

Answer 2

Prion, though this is debatable

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Contaminated feed with ingredients (bone meal) from infected cattle.

NOT contagious through casual contact

Question 4

Clinical signs

Answer 4

Hyperesthesia (mad cow)
Persistent licking of the muzzle

Other: tremors, nervousness/aggression, ataxia, abnormal posture weight loss, etc

Question 5

Reportable?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Histology of the brain - bilaterally symmetric intracytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons. Confirm with immunohistochemistry for prion

Question 7

Treatment

Answer 7

None. Cull animals and report

Question 8

Link to human disease?

Answer 8

Yes - chronic and fatal neurodegenerative disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

Consumption of BSE cattle may have a link to this disease