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Transmissible encephalopathies and biopharmaceutical production
1USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, USA.
Developments in Biological Standardization
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Post-mortem tissues in biologicals, vaccines, and feed can transmit prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. These transmissible encephalopathies are difficult to detect, clear, or inactivate during production.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Biopharmaceutical Production
Background:
- Post-mortem tissues are used for biologicals, vaccines, and feedstuffs.
- This practice has led to the transmission of transmissible encephalopathies.
- Examples include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks associated with using post-mortem tissues.
- To discuss the challenges in controlling transmissible encephalopathies.
- To emphasize the difficulties in detecting and inactivating these pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Review of documented cases of transmissible encephalopathy transmission.
- Analysis of pathogen characteristics and production environment challenges.
Main Results:
- Pituitary-derived hormones transmitted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- Sheep brain vaccines transmitted scrapie.
- Ruminant feed caused bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Conclusions:
- Iatrogenic transmission of transmissible encephalopathies is a significant risk.
- Pathogen detection, clearance, and inactivation in biopharmaceutical production are challenging.
- Careful sourcing and processing of biological materials are crucial.