Research Project: Transmission,
Differentiation, and Pathobiology of Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathies
Location: Virus and Prion Diseases of Livestock
Title: Experimental Transmission of
Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy (Tme) to Cattle by Intracerebral
Inoculation
Authors
Hamir, Amirali
Kunkle, Robert
Miller, Janice - ARS RETIRED
Greenlee, Justin
Richt, Juergen
Submitted to: International Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostics Conference
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2006
Publication Date: June 25, 2006
Citation: Hamir, A.N., Kunkle, R.A., Miller, J.M., Greenlee, J.J., Richt,
J.A. 2006. Experimental transmission of transmissible mink encephalopathy
(TME) to cattle by intracerebral inoculation [abstract]. 4th International
Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostics Conference. p. 89. Paper No. PO53.
Technical Abstract: To compare clinicopathological findings of transmissible
mink encephalopathy (TME) with other transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies (TSE, prion diseases) that have been shown to be
experimentally transmissible to cattle (sheep scrapie, and chronic wasting
disease, CWD), 2 groups of calves (n = 4 each) were intracerebrally
inoculated with TME agents from 2 different sources (mink with TME and a
bovine with TME). Two uninoculated calves served as controls. Within 15.3
months post inoculation (PI), all animals from both inoculated groups
developed clinical signs of central nervous system (CNS) abnormality; their
CNS tissues had microscopic spongiform encephalopathy (SE); and PrP**res was
detected in their CNS tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot
(WB) techniques. These findings demonstrate that intracerebrally inoculated
cattle not only amplify TME PrP**res but also develop clinical CNS signs and
extensive lesions of SE. The latter has not been shown with other TSE agents
(scrapie and CWD) similarly inoculated into cattle. The findings also
suggest that the diagnostic techniques currently used for confirmation of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) would detect TME in cattle should it
occur naturally. However, it would be a diagnostic challenge to
differentiate TME in cattle from BSE. Our recent preliminary results
indicate that WB may be able to differentiate between bovine TME and BSE.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=191825