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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Procedures for Identifying Infectious Prions After Passage Through the Digestive System of an Avian Species
12:00

Procedures for Identifying Infectious Prions After Passage Through the Digestive System of an Avian Species

Published on: November 6, 2013

[Comments on present-day spread and epidemiology of BSE and prion diseases]

W Bodemer1, F-J Kaup

  • 1Deutsches Primatenzentrum Göttingen, Abt. Infektionspathologie. bodemer@dpz.gwdg.de

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
|February 11, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Prion diseases, or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are transmissible neurological disorders. Research intensifies on transmission routes, susceptibility, and detection of pathological prion protein, especially concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Prion diseases are transmissible neurological disorders characterized by protein aggregation.
  • Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) are transmissible.
  • Historical cases of Scrapie, BSE, and human CJD highlight the long-standing nature of these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on prion disease transmission, susceptibility, and molecular mechanisms.
  • To highlight the challenges posed by inapparent prion infections and the need for sensitive detection methods.
  • To summarize new data on BSE transmission and its implications for human health.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on prion disease transmission and pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of animal models to understand transmission routes and species barriers.
  • Discussion of advancements in diagnostic assay systems for prion detection.

Main Results:

  • Prion diseases are transmissible, with species barriers potentially modulating susceptibility rather than preventing transmission.
  • Inapparent stages of infection can precede overt disease, complicating diagnosis and risk assessment.
  • Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) transmission to humans (variant CJD) is a significant concern, with ongoing investigations into its spread.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding prion transmission, including routes and susceptibility factors, is crucial for public health.
  • Development of highly sensitive assays is essential for early detection of pathological prion protein.
  • Continued research is needed to fully assess the global impact of BSE and prevent further human cases.

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