[A case of spongiform encephalopathy ("cattle madness") in a cow in Switzerland]

Spongiform encephalopathies occur in humans and several domestic animal species. Among them, the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has aroused considerable interest because of a massive outbreak of this disease in Great Britain, which is thought to result from feeding meat and bone meal contaminated with the spongiform encephalopathy agent. We observed the first case of BSE in Switzerland, which is also the first case on the European continent. A 6 year old cow suffered from progressive neurological disease. On neuropathological examination typical spongiform changes and neuronal vacuolation were found. The origin of the infection remains unknown. It cannot be excluded that the animal was exposed to cattle feed derived from Great Britain. It is possible that additional sporadic cases may occur in Switzerland, an outbreak such as in England is unlikely to happen.