Atypical/Nor98 Scrapie Infectivity in Sheep Peripheral Tissues

Overview

Journal PLoS Pathog

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2011 Feb 25

PMID 21347349

Citations 63

Authors

Olivier Andreoletti

Leonor Orge

Sylvie L Benestad

Vincent Beringue

Claire Litaise

Stephanie Simon

Annick Le Dur

Hubert Laude

Hugh Simmons

Severine Lugan

Fabien Corbiere

Pierrette Costes

Nathalie Morel

Francois Schelcher

Caroline Lacroux

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Atypical/Nor98 scrapie was first identified in 1998 in Norway. It is now considered as a worldwide disease of small ruminants and currently represents a significant part of the detected transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) cases in Europe. Atypical/Nor98 scrapie cases were reported in ARR/ARR sheep, which are highly resistant to BSE and other small ruminants TSE agents. The biology and pathogenesis of the Atypical/Nor98 scrapie agent in its natural host is still poorly understood. However, based on the absence of detectable abnormal PrP in peripheral tissues of affected individuals, human and animal exposure risk to this specific TSE agent has been considered low. In this study we demonstrate that infectivity can accumulate, even if no abnormal PrP is detectable, in lymphoid tissues, nerves, and muscles from natural and/or experimental Atypical/Nor98 scrapie cases. Evidence is provided that, in comparison to other TSE agents, samples containing Atypical/Nor98 scrapie infectivity could remain PrP(Sc) negative. This feature will impact detection of Atypical/Nor98 scrapie cases in the field, and highlights the need to review current evaluations of the disease prevalence and potential transmissibility. Finally, an estimate is made of the infectivity loads accumulating in peripheral tissues in both Atypical/Nor98 and classical scrapie cases that currently enter the food chain. The results obtained indicate that dietary exposure risk to small ruminants TSE agents may be higher than commonly believed.

Citing Articles

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