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<li> Assess the cross species transmissibility of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in livestock and wildlife. <li> Investigate the pathobiology of TSEs in natural and secondary hosts. <li> Investigate pathogenesis and ante mortem detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). <li> Develop a method to detect central nervous system (CNS) tissue contamination on carcasses. </ol>
Studies are focused on the four animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) agents found in the United States: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE); scrapie of sheep and goats; chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer, elk, and moose; and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME). These agents will be tested for cross-species transmissibility into various livestock and cervid species using both oral and intracerebral inoculation. Sites of accumulation, routes of infection, methods of isolate differentiation, and in the case of BSE, genetics of susceptibility and ante-mortem diagnostics, will be investigated. Existing technology developed at the National Animal Disease Center and those used in the meat packing industry for the detection of fecal contamination on carcasses will be adapted to detect CNS tissue contamination on carcasses. BSL-2; Recertified 10/17/06; IBC# 0275 BSL-2; Certified 10/10/06; IBC# 0286