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Transmissible mink encephalopathy.
1Department of Veterinary Science, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706-1581.
Summary
Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) may not originate from sheep scrapie, as mink showed no susceptibility in experiments. Further research is needed to identify the true source of TME in mink feed.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Prion Diseases
- Animal Husbandry
Background:
- Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) is a fatal neurological disease affecting ranch-raised mink.
- TME shares clinical and pathological similarities with scrapie, a prion disease affecting sheep.
- The source of TME is suspected to be contaminated feed ingredients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential link between sheep scrapie and Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME).
- To determine if mink are orally susceptible to sheep scrapie.
- To explore potential sources of TME infection in mink.
Main Methods:
- Experimental oral exposure of mink to various sources of sheep scrapie.
- Clinical observation and pathological examination of affected mink.
- Physicochemical characterization of transmissible agents.
Main Results:
- Experimental feeding of scrapie-infected sheep tissues to mink did not result in TME.
- Mink did not show oral susceptibility to the tested sources of sheep scrapie.
- The transmissible agents of TME and scrapie are indistinguishable by physicochemical characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Sheep scrapie may not be the source of Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME).
- An unknown strain of sheep scrapie with high mink pathogenicity could be responsible for TME.
- Further testing of diverse sheep scrapie sources and detailed epidemiological investigations of TME outbreaks are warranted.