Characterization of Strains of Chronic Wasting in North American Cervids

Samples of brain tissue from the 3 species of cervids affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD) will be collected from clinical cases in the field. The donor tissues, from mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer, will be used to inoculate special strains of laboratory mice that have been developed for identification of scrapie strains in sheep and for differentiation of scrapie from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In addition, these same sources of prion infectivity will be compared for their transmissibility to cattle, sheep, and white-tailed deer.
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What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Institutes for Animal Health (IAH), Edinburgh, UK. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 3625-32000-066-00D, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Other Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. Three brain samples of chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been received at the IAH's Neuropathogenesis Unit: two from mule deer (ID nos 12776 and 12783) and one from a North American Elk (ID no. 98RA265). Initial bacteriological screening indicated that two of these (12776 and 98RA265) were suitable for injection into mice. The third (ID no 12783) was bacterially contaminated to a degree that precluded injection into mice. The two suitable samples were injected into panels of inbred mouse strains (RIII, C57BL, VM and C57BLxVM) in September 2003 (98RA265) and November 2003 (12776). The mice are being maintained and clinically monitored and remain healthy at the time of writing. Four other samples from mule deer, white tailed deer and elk have been collected at the ARS's National Animal Disease Center for inclusion in the study. Shipment to the IAH's Neuropathogenesis Unit is awaiting the issue of an importation permit.