Atypical L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (L-BSE) appears to be sporadic in cattle 8–10 years of age and has different characteristics from the classical type (C-BSE). L-BSE was experimentally transmitted to cattle. In order to investigate the topographical distribution and patterns of deposition of immunolabelled abnormal prion proteins (PrPSc), interspecies transmission of L-BSE to Cheviot ewes (ARQ/ARQ genotype) was performed. The L-BSE agent was successfully transmitted to sheep 992 days after intracerebral inoculation. Minimal vacuolar change was detected in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem, and PrPSc accumulated in all the regions of the brain. The topographical distribution and patterns of deposition of immunolabelled PrPSc in L-BSE sheep showed distinguishable characteristics from those in sheep affected with scrapie and C-BSE. Our results suggest that L-BSE affected sheep can be identified using a severance system for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in Japan.
(Influenza and Prion Disease Research Center)
References:
Matsuura Y. et al (2013) J. Comp. Pathol. 149(1):113–118
