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Vaccines for Mycoplasma Diseases of Small Ruminants: A Neglected Area of Research. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11010075. [PMID: 35056023 PMCID: PMC8781016 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas cause some of the most economically important diseases of sheep and goats, including diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) such as contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and contagious agalactia (CA). Other important mycoplasma diseases include chronic respiratory and arthritic syndrome (CRAS) and atypical pneumonia, both present on all continents where small ruminants are farmed. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of investment, most commercial vaccines for these diseases are of poor quality, being mostly composed of killed bacteriocins of dubious or unknown efficacy. Several Mediterranean laboratories produce autogenous vaccines, but these can only be used on farms where outbreaks have been officially declared, and consequently have limited impact on disease nationally. Effective live vaccines are available, but their use is often restricted because of safety concerns. With the necessary safeguards in place, we argue for their greater use. This review examines reported vaccines for mycoplasma diseases of small ruminants and attempts to identify new candidate antigens that may enable the development of improved products. Vaccines for CCPP are covered elsewhere.
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Barrio T, Filali H, Otero A, Sheleby-Elías J, Marín B, Vidal E, Béringue V, Torres JM, Groschup M, Andréoletti O, Badiola JJ, Bolea R. Mixtures of prion substrains in natural scrapie cases revealed by ovinised murine models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5042. [PMID: 32193445 PMCID: PMC7081250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61977-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic variability in prion diseases, such as scrapie, is associated to the existence of prion strains, which are different pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) conformations with distinct pathobiological properties. To faithfully study scrapie strain variability in natural sheep isolates, transgenic mice expressing sheep cellular prion protein (PrPC) are used. In this study, we used two of such models to bioassay 20 scrapie isolates from the Spain-France-Andorra transboundary territory. Animals were intracerebrally inoculated and survival periods, proteinase K-resistant PrP (PrPres) banding patterns, lesion profiles and PrPSc distribution were studied. Inocula showed a remarkable homogeneity on banding patterns, all of them but one showing 19-kDa PrPres. However, a number of isolates caused accumulation of 21-kDa PrPres in TgShp XI. A different subgroup of isolates caused long survival periods and presence of 21-kDa PrPres in Tg338 mice. It seemed that one major 19-kDa prion isoform and two distinct 21-kDa variants coexisted in source inocula, and that they could be separated by bioassay in each transgenic model. The reason why each model favours a specific component of the mixture is unknown, although PrPC expression level may play a role. Our results indicate that coinfection with more than one substrain is more frequent than infection with a single component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Barrio
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Hicham Filali
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alicia Otero
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jessica Sheleby-Elías
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Belén Marín
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Enric Vidal
- Priocat Laboratory, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincent Béringue
- UMR Virologie Immunologie Moléculaires (VIM-UR892), INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA, 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225- IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse, France
| | - Juan José Badiola
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Langeveld JPM, Pirisinu L, Jacobs JG, Mazza M, Lantier I, Simon S, Andréoletti O, Acin C, Esposito E, Fast C, Groschup M, Goldmann W, Spiropoulos J, Sklaviadis T, Lantier F, Ekateriniadou L, Papasavva-Stylianou P, van Keulen LJM, Acutis PL, Agrimi U, Bossers A, Nonno R. Four types of scrapie in goats differentiated from each other and bovine spongiform encephalopathy by biochemical methods. Vet Res 2019; 50:97. [PMID: 31767033 PMCID: PMC6878695 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0718-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Scrapie in goats has been known since 1942, the archetype of prion diseases in which only prion protein (PrP) in misfolded state (PrPSc) acts as infectious agent with fatal consequence. Emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) with its zoonotic behaviour and detection in goats enhanced fears that its source was located in small ruminants. However, in goats knowledge on prion strain typing is limited. A European-wide study is presented concerning the biochemical phenotypes of the protease resistant fraction of PrPSc (PrPres) in over thirty brain isolates from transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) affected goats collected in seven countries. Three different scrapie forms were found: classical scrapie (CS), Nor98/atypical scrapie and one case of CH1641 scrapie. In addition, CS was found in two variants-CS-1 and CS-2 (mainly Italy)-which differed in proteolytic resistance of the PrPres N-terminus. Suitable PrPres markers for discriminating CH1641 from BSE (C-type) appeared to be glycoprofile pattern, presence of two triplets instead of one, and structural (in)stability of its core amino acid region. None of the samples exhibited BSE like features. BSE and these four scrapie types, of which CS-2 is new, can be recognized in goats with combinations of a set of nine biochemical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan P M Langeveld
- Wageningen BioVeterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen University & Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura Pirisinu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS), 299-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Jorg G Jacobs
- Wageningen BioVeterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen University & Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Mazza
- Italian Reference Centre for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte (IZSTO), 10154, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Isabelle Lantier
- UMR 1282 ISP, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), University of Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA), 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA/ENVT 1225 IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), 31300, Toulouse, France
| | - Cristina Acin
- Research Centre for TSE and Emerging Transmissible Diseases, University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elena Esposito
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS), 299-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Isle of Riems, 17493, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Isle of Riems, 17493, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Wilfred Goldmann
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh (UEDIN), Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - John Spiropoulos
- Department of Pathology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Frederic Lantier
- UMR 1282 ISP, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), University of Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Loukia Ekateriniadou
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER, Veterinary Research Institute, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Lucien J M van Keulen
- Wageningen BioVeterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen University & Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Pier-Luigi Acutis
- Italian Reference Centre for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte (IZSTO), 10154, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Umberto Agrimi
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS), 299-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alex Bossers
- Wageningen BioVeterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen University & Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS), 299-00161, Rome, Italy
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Babelhadj B, Di Bari MA, Pirisinu L, Chiappini B, Gaouar SBS, Riccardi G, Marcon S, Agrimi U, Nonno R, Vaccari G. Prion Disease in Dromedary Camels, Algeria. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 24:1029-1036. [PMID: 29652245 PMCID: PMC6004840 DOI: 10.3201/eid2406.172007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prions cause fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, including
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, scrapie in small ruminants, and bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). After the BSE epidemic, and the associated
human infections, began in 1996 in the United Kingdom, general concerns have
been raised about animal prions. We detected a prion disease in dromedary camels
(Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria. Symptoms suggesting prion
disease occurred in 3.1% of dromedaries brought for slaughter to the Ouargla
abattoir in 2015–2016. We confirmed diagnosis by detecting pathognomonic
neurodegeneration and disease-specific prion protein (PrPSc) in brain
tissues from 3 symptomatic animals. Prion detection in lymphoid tissues is
suggestive of the infectious nature of the disease. PrPSc biochemical
characterization showed differences with BSE and scrapie. Our identification of
this prion disease in a geographically widespread livestock species requires
urgent enforcement of surveillance and assessment of the potential risks to
human and animal health.
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Ricci A, Allende A, Bolton D, Chemaly M, Davies R, Fernández Escámez PS, Gironés R, Herman L, Koutsoumanis K, Lindqvist R, Nørrung B, Robertson L, Ru G, Sanaa M, Skandamis P, Speybroeck N, Simmons M, Kuile BT, Threlfall J, Wahlström H, Acutis PL, Andreoletti O, Goldmann W, Langeveld J, Windig JJ, Ortiz Pelaez A, Snary E. Genetic resistance to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in goats. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04962. [PMID: 32625625 PMCID: PMC7010077 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breeding programmes to promote resistance to classical scrapie, similar to those for sheep in existing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) regulations, have not been established in goats. The European Commission requested a scientific opinion from EFSA on the current knowledge of genetic resistance to TSE in goats. An evaluation tool, which considers both the weight of evidence and strength of resistance to classical scrapie of alleles in the goat PRNP gene, was developed and applied to nine selected alleles of interest. Using the tool, the quality and certainty of the field and experimental data are considered robust enough to conclude that the K222, D146 and S146 alleles both confer genetic resistance against classical scrapie strains known to occur naturally in the EU goat population, with which they have been challenged both experimentally and under field conditions. The weight of evidence for K222 is greater than that currently available for the D146 and S146 alleles and for the ARR allele in sheep in 2001. Breeding for resistance can be an effective tool for controlling classical scrapie in goats and it could be an option available to member states, both at herd and population levels. There is insufficient evidence to assess the impact of K222, D146 and S146 alleles on susceptibility to atypical scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or on health and production traits. These alleles are heterogeneously distributed across the EU Member States and goat breeds, but often at low frequencies (< 10%). Given these low frequencies, high selection pressure may have an adverse effect on genetic diversity so any breeding for resistance programmes should be developed at Member States, rather than EU level and their impact monitored, with particular attention to the potential for any negative impact in rare or small population breeds.
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Abstract
Although they share certain biological properties with nucleic acid based infectious agents, prions, the causative agents of invariably fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative disorders such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, sheep scrapie, and human Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, propagate by conformational templating of host encoded proteins. Once thought to be unique to these diseases, this mechanism is now recognized as a ubiquitous means of information transfer in biological systems, including other protein misfolding disorders such as those causing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. To address the poorly understood mechanism by which host prion protein (PrP) primary structures interact with distinct prion conformations to influence pathogenesis, we produced transgenic (Tg) mice expressing different sheep scrapie susceptibility alleles, varying only at a single amino acid at PrP residue 136. Tg mice expressing ovine PrP with alanine (A) at (OvPrP-A136) infected with SSBP/1 scrapie prions propagated a relatively stable (S) prion conformation, which accumulated as punctate aggregates in the brain, and produced prolonged incubation times. In contrast, Tg mice expressing OvPrP with valine (V) at 136 (OvPrP-V136) infected with the same prions developed disease rapidly, and the converted prion was comprised of an unstable (U), diffusely distributed conformer. Infected Tg mice co-expressing both alleles manifested properties consistent with the U conformer, suggesting a dominant effect resulting from exclusive conversion of OvPrP-V136 but not OvPrP-A136. Surprisingly, however, studies with monoclonal antibody (mAb) PRC5, which discriminates OvPrP-A136 from OvPrP-V136, revealed substantial conversion of OvPrP-A136. Moreover, the resulting OvPrP-A136 prion acquired the characteristics of the U conformer. These results, substantiated by in vitro analyses, indicated that co-expression of OvPrP-V136 altered the conversion potential of OvPrP-A136 from the S to the otherwise unfavorable U conformer. This epigenetic mechanism thus expands the range of selectable conformations that can be adopted by PrP, and therefore the variety of options for strain propagation. Prions are infectious proteins, originally discovered as the cause of a group of transmissible, fatal mammalian neurodegenerative diseases. Propagation results from conversion of the host-encoded cellular form of the prion protein to a self-propagating disease-associated conformation. It is believed that the self-propagating pathogenic form exists in a variety of subtly different conformations that encipher prion strain information. Here we explored the mechanism by which prion protein primary structural variants, differing at only a single amino acid residue, interact with prion strain conformations to control disease phenotype. We show that under conditions of co-expression, a susceptible prion protein variant influences the ability of an otherwise resistant variant to propagate an otherwise unfavorable prion strain. While this phenomenon is analogous to the expression of genetically-determined phenotypes, our results support a mechanism whereby dominant and recessive prion traits are epigenetically controlled by means of protein-mediated conformational templating.
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Bertolini S, Maurella C, Bona C, Ingravalle F, Desiato R, Baioni E, Chiavacci L, Caramelli M, Ru G. A relevant long-term impact of the circulation of a potentially contaminated vaccine on the distribution of scrapie in Italy. Results from a retrospective cohort study. Vet Res 2012; 43:63. [PMID: 22928815 PMCID: PMC3485622 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-43-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A sudden increase in the incidence of scrapie in Italy in 1997 was subsequently linked to the use of a potentially infected vaccine against contagious agalactia. The relative risk for the exposed farms ranged between 6 and 40. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of exposure to the potentially scrapie-contaminated vaccine on the Italian classical scrapie epidemic. We carried out a retrospective cohort study, fitting mixed-effects Poisson regression models, dividing national geographic areas into exposure categories on the basis of the vaccine circulation levels. We took into account the sensitivity of the surveillance system applied in the different areas. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was used to assess the impact on the total population of farms associated with the effect of circulation of the vaccine. The provinces where the vaccine was more often sold were noted to have a higher level of disease when compared to those provinces where the vaccine was sold less often (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-6.5). The population attributable fraction was high (68.4%). Standardization techniques allowed to account for the potential of geographical variability in the sensitivity of the Italian surveillance system. Although the number of the directly exposed farms was limited, an important long-term impact of the vaccine circulation could be quantified in terms of secondary outbreaks likely due to the exchange of animals from directly exposed flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bertolini
- Epidemiologia e Osservatorio Epidemiologico, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta (IZSPLVA), Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy.
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Vaccari G, Panagiotidis CH, Acin C, Peletto S, Barillet F, Acutis P, Bossers A, Langeveld J, van Keulen L, Sklaviadis T, Badiola JJ, Andreéoletti O, Groschup MH, Agrimi U, Foster J, Goldmann W. State-of-the-art review of goat TSE in the European Union, with special emphasis on PRNP genetics and epidemiology. Vet Res 2009; 40:48. [PMID: 19505422 PMCID: PMC2704333 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease of sheep and goats. It is also the earliest known member in the family of diseases classified as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) or prion diseases, which includes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and chronic wasting disease in cervids. The recent revelation of naturally occurring BSE in a goat has brought the issue of TSE in goats to the attention of the public. In contrast to scrapie, BSE presents a proven risk to humans. The risk of goat BSE, however, is difficult to evaluate, as our knowledge of TSE in goats is limited. Natural caprine scrapie has been discovered throughout Europe, with reported cases generally being greatest in countries with the highest goat populations. As with sheep scrapie, susceptibility and incubation period duration of goat scrapie are most likely controlled by the prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP). Like the PRNP of sheep, the caprine PRNP shows significantly greater variability than that of cattle and humans. Although PRNP variability in goats differs from that observed in sheep, the two species share several identical alleles. Moreover, while the ARR allele associated with enhancing resistance in sheep is not present in the goat PRNP, there is evidence for the existence of other PrP variants related to resistance. This review presents the current knowledge of the epidemiology of caprine scrapie within the major European goat populations, and compiles the current data on genetic variability of PRNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Vaccari
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies and Emerging Infectious Diseases of Animals, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Vaccari G, Scavia G, Sala M, Cosseddu G, Chiappini B, Conte M, Esposito E, Lorenzetti R, Perfetti G, Marconi P, Scholl F, Barbaro K, Bella A, Nonno R, Agrimi U. Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176 PrP allele against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep. Vet Res 2009; 40:19. [PMID: 19171116 PMCID: PMC2695041 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2009] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The susceptibility of sheep to scrapie is under the control of the host’s prion protein (PrP) gene and is also influenced by the strain of the agent. PrP polymorphisms at codons 136 (A/V), 154 (R/H) and 171 (Q/R/H) are the main determinants of susceptibility/resistance of sheep to classical scrapie. They are combined in four main variants of the wild-type ARQ allele: VRQ, AHQ, ARH and ARR. Breeding programmes have been undertaken on this basis in the European Union and the USA to increase the frequency of the resistant ARR allele in sheep populations. Herein, we report the results of a multi-flock study showing the protective effect of polymorphisms other than those at codons 136, 154 and 171 in Sarda breed sheep. All ARQ/ARQ affected sheep (n = 154) and 378 negative ARQ/ARQ controls from four scrapie outbreaks were submitted to sequencing of the PrP gene. The distribution of variations other than those at the standard three codons, between scrapie cases and negative controls, was statistically different in all flocks. In particular, the AT137RQ and ARQK176 alleles showed a clear protective effect. This is the first study demonstrating a protective influence of alleles other than ARR under field conditions. If further investigations in other sheep breeds and with other scrapie sources confirm these findings, the availability of various protective alleles in breeding programmes of sheep for scrapie resistance could be useful in breeds with a low frequency of the ARR allele and would allow maintaining a wider variability of the PrP gene.
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Nicholas RAJ, Ayling RD, McAuliffe L. Vaccines for Mycoplasma diseases in animals and man. J Comp Pathol 2008; 140:85-96. [PMID: 19111314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Accepted: 08/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines for important mycoplasma diseases, including contagious bovine and caprine pleuropneumonia, have been used for centuries, consisting mainly of infected tissue or fluids which are inoculated into sites at which the risk of severe infection is slight, such as the tail and bridge of the nose. Surprisingly, little progress has been made in developing safe, defined and protective alternatives, the vaccines today still consisting of mildly attenuated strains serially passaged in eggs or in culture. Ill-defined temperature-sensitive mutants are widely used for mycoplasmoses in poultry despite uncertainty about their mode of protection. Inactivated vaccines for enzootic pneumonia appear to have improved pig health worldwide, but disease reduction has been generally modest. Ironically, attempts to develop subunit preparations have often led to exacerbation of disease, particularly in human atypical pneumonia. Promising results have been seen in DNA vaccine technology, which has been applied to the development of mycoplasma vaccines for porcine enzootic pneumonia, but field trials still seem a long way off. No commercial vaccines exist for Mycoplasma bovis, despite evidence that this is a major cause of calf pneumonia, mastitis and arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A J Nicholas
- Mycoplasma Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency (Weybridge), New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
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TSE risk assessment from carcasses of ovine and caprine animals below 6 months of age from TSE infected flocks intended for human consumption ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards. EFSA J 2008; 6:719. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2008.719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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LeBrun M, Huang H, Li X. Susceptibility of cell substrates to PrPSc infection and safety control measures related to biological and biotherapeutical products. Prion 2008; 2:17-22. [PMID: 19164901 DOI: 10.4161/pri.2.1.6280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns over the potential for infectious prion proteins to contaminate human biologics and biotherapeutics have been raised from time to time. Transmission of the pathogenic form of prion protein (PrP(Sc)) through veterinary vaccines has been observed, yet no human case through the use of vaccine products has been reported. However, iatrogenic transmissions of PrP(Sc) in humans through blood components, tissues and growth hormone have been reported. These findings underscore the importance of reliable detection or diagnostic methods to prevent the transmission of prion diseases, given that the number of asymptomatic infected individuals remains unknown, the perceived incubation time for human prion diseases could be decades, and no cure of the diseases has been found yet. A variety of biochemical and molecular methods can selectively concentrate PrP(Sc) to facilitate its detection in tissues and cells. Furthermore, some methods routinely used in the manufacturing process of biological products have been found to be effective in reducing PrP(Sc) from the products. Questions remain unanswered as to the validation criteria of these methods, the minimal infectious dose of the PrP(Sc) required to cause infection and the susceptibility of cells used in gene therapy or the manufacturing process of biological products to PrP(Sc) infections. Here, we discuss some of these challenging issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew LeBrun
- Centre for Biologics Research, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Sofianidis G, Psychas V, Billinis C, Spyrou V, Argyroudis S, Papaioannou N, Vlemmas I. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features of natural goat scrapie. J Comp Pathol 2006; 135:116-129. [PMID: 16997004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2006.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2005] [Accepted: 06/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed on the brain and spinal cord of 37 goats from two Greek herds in which scrapie had been reported. Of the 37 animals, 18 were from a herd consisting only of goats and 19 were from a herd of goats mixed with sheep. The goats studied were grouped on the basis of the presence or absence of clinical signs. Distinctive lesions and PrP(sc) (PrP, prion protein) deposition were found in the central nervous system (CNS) of eight clinically affected animals and six symptomless animals. The lesion profile and PrP(sc) distribution varied both between and within groups, variation being particularly pronounced in the symptomless goats. The results concerning the latter group suggested a poor correlation between the intensity of lesions, the amount of PrP(sc) in the CNS, and the manifestation of clinical signs. Immunohistochemical examination revealed 10 different PrP(sc) types, four of which are reported for the first time in goats. All scrapie-affected animals carried the VV(21)II(142)HH(143)RR(154) genotype, with the exception of two goats that carried the HR(143) dimorphism and had detectable PrP(sc) deposits. The results suggest that the histopathological and immunohistochemical profile of the natural disease in goats is influenced by the PrP genotype and age of the animals but may not be directly associated with the presence or otherwise of clinical signs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - C Billinis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, 43100 Karditsa
| | - V Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production, Technological Educational Institution, Larissa, Greece
| | - S Argyroudis
- Clinic of Productive Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki
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14
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Hopp P, Omer MK, Heier BT. A case–control study of scrapie Nor98 in Norwegian sheep flocks. J Gen Virol 2006; 87:3729-3736. [PMID: 17098991 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81951-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie is a fatal, neurological disease of sheep and goats and belongs to the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In 1998, a new type of scrapie, designated scrapie Nor98, was detected in Norway. Scrapie Nor98 differs from classical scrapie in the distribution of pathological changes and of the scrapie prion protein, the Western blot profile of the prion protein, and with isolated cases usually being observed in the case flocks. In 2004, a case–control study was conducted on scrapie Nor98 with 28 cases and 102 randomly selected controls. The questionnaire included questions on demographic data, animal contact between sheep flocks, indirect contact with equipment, use of concentrate feed and supplemental feeds, and use of medicines and vaccines. The data were analysed by using logistic regression with the sheep flock as the statistical unit. In the final model, the detection of scrapie Nor98 was related to the practice of not removing all afterbirths, the use of vitamin and mineral feed supplements, the absence of concentrate feed of swine or poultry on the farm and the presence of dogs on the farm. The results show that the epidemiology of scrapie Nor98 differs from that of classical scrapie in that no risk factors that indicate transmission of scrapie Nor98 between flocks by movement or direct contact between animals were found. Furthermore, the association between scrapie Nor98 and mineral intake shown herein should be explored further. Although the possibility that scrapie Nor98 has a low transmissibility between animals under natural conditions cannot be ruled out, the results would also be in accordance with a spontaneous aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petter Hopp
- National Veterinary Institute, PO Box 8156 Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mohamed K Omer
- National Veterinary Institute, PO Box 8156 Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Berit T Heier
- National Veterinary Institute, PO Box 8156 Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
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15
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Vaccari G, Bari MAD, Morelli L, Nonno R, Chiappini B, Antonucci G, Marcon S, Esposito E, Fazzi P, Palazzini N, Troiano P, Petrella A, Di Guardo G, Agrimi U. Identification of an allelic variant of the goat PrP gene associated with resistance to scrapie. J Gen Virol 2006; 87:1395-1402. [PMID: 16603543 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81485-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between PrP gene variations and scrapie susceptibility was studied in a single herd of Ionica breed goats. The entire herd comprised 100 animals, 11 of which were clinically affected and showed pathological prion protein (PrPSc) deposition in both their central nervous system (CNS) and lymphoreticular system (LRS). Among asymptomatic goats, nine harboured PrPSc in both CNS and LRS, 19 showed PrPSc only at the LRS level and 61 animals had no PrPSc deposition. Genetic analysis of the PrP gene coding sequence revealed the presence of several polymorphisms, namely G37V, T110P, H143R, R154H, Q222K and P240S. Silent polymorphisms were also found at codons 42, 138, 219 and 232. The effect of PrP polymorphism on scrapie susceptibility was assessed by comparing the genotype distribution at each locus among animals with different pathogenetic and clinical disease stages. Significant differences in the distribution of genotypes were observed for codons 154 and 222, with polymorphism at codon 154 modulating susceptibility to scrapie and lysine at codon 222 being associated with scrapie resistance. The allelic variant encoding lysine at position 222 could be a valuable candidate to select in the framework of appropriate breeding programmes for scrapie resistance in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Vaccari
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele A Di Bari
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Luisella Morelli
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Chiappini
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonucci
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Marcon
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Esposito
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Fazzi
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Palazzini
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Troiano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Petrella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Guardo
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piazza Aldo Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Umberto Agrimi
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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16
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Acutis PL, Bossers A, Priem J, Riina MV, Peletto S, Mazza M, Casalone C, Forloni G, Ru G, Caramelli M. Identification of prion protein gene polymorphisms in goats from Italian scrapie outbreaks. J Gen Virol 2006; 87:1029-1033. [PMID: 16528054 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is influenced by polymorphisms of the prion protein (PrP) gene, whereas no strong association between genetics and scrapie has yet been determined in goats due to the limited number of studies on these animals. In this case–control study on 177 goats from six Italian scrapie outbreaks, the association between PrP alleles and the occurrence of scrapie was studied. Three silent mutations and 11 PrP polymorphisms were identified, of which two polymorphisms (L133Q and M137I) and one silent mutation (T202T) have not been reported previously. Twelve alleles were determined by cloning. Statistical analysis suggested a possible protective role against scrapie for the glutamine to lysine mutation at codon 222.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Acutis
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - A Bossers
- Central Institute for Animal Disease Control (CIDC-Lelystad), PO Box 2004, 8203 AA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - J Priem
- Central Institute for Animal Disease Control (CIDC-Lelystad), PO Box 2004, 8203 AA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - M V Riina
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - S Peletto
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - M Mazza
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - C Casalone
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - G Forloni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - G Ru
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - M Caramelli
- CEA (Centro di referenza per le Encefalopatie Animali), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
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17
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Uboldi C, Del Vecchio I, Foti MG, Azzalin A, Paulis M, Raimondi E, Vaccari G, Agrimi U, Di Guardo G, Comincini S, Ferretti L. Prion-like Doppel gene (PRND) in the goat: genomic structure, cDNA, and polymorphisms. Mamm Genome 2005; 16:963-71. [PMID: 16341676 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-005-0084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2005] [Accepted: 08/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The genomic structure of the caprine Doppel gene (PRND) was determined using the ovine sequence as a scaffold to generate PCR fragments that were aligned with a cDNA sequence obtained from testicular mRNA. The caprine gene contains two exons, 89 and >2291 bp long, separated by a 1689-bp intron. Two mRNA isoforms of 3.2 and 4.8 kb were identified in the testis, as well as the exact transcription start site by fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide extension (FLOE). Like in sheep and cattle, the open reading frame (ORF) (537 bp) lies within exon 2 and is very much conserved in sheep (99.3%) and cattle (97%). The intronic sequence is also highly conserved (95.3%) compared with sheep, with the only exception of a 47-bp insertion. The PRND ORF was sequenced in 47 healthy and 17 TSE-affected goats of the Italian Ionica breed. Seven nucleotide positions showed variation: T28C, C65T, A151G, G286A, C385G, T451C, and T528C. Five were commonly represented polymorphisms: T28C, T451C, and T528C are silent mutations at codons L10, L151, and I176, respectively, while A151G and C385G determine a T51A and L129V amino acid change, respectively. The two remaining variants, C65T and G286A, were rare, leading to the amino acid substitutions S22F and E96K, respectively. None of the polymorphisms was significantly relatable to the TSE status, and the same result was obtained by the analysis of the combined haplotypes at the five major polymorphic sites, namely, T28C, C65T, A151G, G286A, and C385G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Uboldi
- Dipartimento di Genetica e Microbiologia, Università di Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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18
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Purdey M. Metal microcrystal pollutants: the heat resistant, transmissible nucleating agents that initiate the pathogenesis of TSEs? Med Hypotheses 2005; 65:448-77. [PMID: 15908137 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2005.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2005] [Accepted: 03/09/2005] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper exposes the flaws in the conventional consensus on the origins of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) which decrees that the protein-only misfolded 'prion' represents the primary aetiological transmissible agent, and then reviews/presents the emerging data which indicates that environmental exposure to metal microcrystal pollutants (sourced from munitions, etc.) represents the heat resistant, transmissible nucleating agents which seed the metal-prion protein (PrP)-ferritin fibril crystals that cause TSE. Fresh analytical data is presented on the levels of metals in ecosystems which support populations affected by clusters of variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD), sporadic/familial CJD, and the scrapie types of TSE that have emerged in the UK, Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria and Japan. This data further substantiates the abnormal geochemical template (e.g., elevated strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and silver (Ag)) which was observed as a common hallmark of the TSE cluster ecosystems across North America, thereby supporting the hypothesis that these microcrystals serve as the piezoelectrion nucleators which seed the growth/multireplication of the aberrant metal-PrP-ferritin fibril features which characterise the neuropathology of the TSE diseased brain. A secondary pathogenic mechanism entails the inactivation of the sulphated proteoglycans which normally regulate the mineralisation process. This can be induced by a rogue metal mediated chelation of free sulphur, or by contamination with organo-sulphur pollutants that substitute at natural sulphur bonds, or via a mutation to the S-proteoglycan cell line; thereby enabling the aberrant overgrowth of rogue fibril crystal formations that possess a piezoelectric capacity which compromises the ability of the contaminated individual to process incoming acoustic/tactile pressure waves in the normal way. The crystals transduce incoming sonic energy into electrical energy, which, in turn, generates magnetic fields on the crystal surfaces that initiate chain reactions of free radical mediated spongiform neurodegeneration. Metal microcrystal nucleating agents provide a group of plausible aetiological candidates that explain the unique properties of the TSE causal agent - such as heat resistance, transmissibility, etc. - which the protein-only prion model fails to fulfill. This paper also discusses the possible nutritional measures that could best be adopted by populations living in high risk TSE ecosystems; as a means of preventing the successful implantation of these rogue microcrystals and their consequent hypermineralisation of the soft tissues within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Purdey
- High Barn Farm, Elworthy, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3PX, UK.
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19
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Vascellari M, Aufiero GM, Nonno R, Agrimi U, Vaccari G, Basilicata L, Falcaro C, Mancin M, Marcon S, Mutinelli F. Diagnosis and PrP genotype target of scrapie in clinically healthy sheep of Massese breed in the framework of a scrapie eradication programme. Arch Virol 2005; 150:1959-76. [PMID: 15931459 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-005-0564-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2004] [Accepted: 04/27/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The application of a selective culling programme in two scrapie affected flocks of Massese breed sheep is described. The genetic susceptibility of this breed and the sensitivity of different diagnostic methods in the pre-clinical diagnosis of scrapie were also investigated. Overall, 2,068 clinically healthy sheep underwent PrP genotyping, providing the basis for selective culling. The prevalence of scrapie infection was investigated in susceptible sheep by two independent diagnostic methods. All the sheep older than 18 months (n = 620) were tested by Prionics Check Western rapid test on the obex, with a prevalence of infection of 3.9%. Furthermore, 385 sheep underwent immunohistochemistry (IHC) on retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN), with a prevalence of infection of 5.2%. Overall, 32 sheep were diagnosed with pre-clinical scrapie. Of these, 31 were positive by Western blot on the spleen, 29 by IHC on the RPLN and tonsil, 28 by IHC on the obex, 24 by rapid test, and only 18 by IHC on the third eyelid. All the scrapie positive sheep were of the ARQ/ARQ, ARQ/AHQ or ARQ/VRQ genotypes. No significant differences in scrapie prevalence were observed among these genotypes. The estimated risk of the three targeted alleles was also similar, suggesting that in this breed the VRQ allele was not at higher risk for scrapie, compared to the ARQ and AHQ alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vascellari
- Histopathology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
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20
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Nonno R, Esposito E, Vaccari G, Conte M, Marcon S, Di Bari M, Ligios C, Di Guardo G, Agrimi U. Molecular analysis of cases of Italian sheep scrapie and comparison with cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and experimental BSE in sheep. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:4127-33. [PMID: 12958236 PMCID: PMC193806 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.9.4127-4133.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2003] [Revised: 05/11/2003] [Accepted: 06/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns have been raised about the possibility that the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent could have been transmitted to sheep populations via contaminated feedstuffs. The objective of our study was to investigate the suitability of molecular strain typing methods as a surveillance tool for studying scrapie strain variations and for differentiating PrP(Sc) from sheep scrapie, BSE, and sheep BSE. We studied 38 Italian sheep scrapie cases from 13 outbreaks, along with a British scrapie case, an experimental ovine BSE, and 3 BSE cases, by analyzing the glycoform patterns and the apparent molecular masses of the nonglycosylated forms of semipurified, proteinase-treated PrP(Sc). Both criteria were able to clearly differentiate sheep scrapie from BSE and ovine experimental BSE. PrP(Sc) from BSE and sheep BSE showed a higher glycoform ratio and a lower molecular mass of the nonglycosylated form compared to scrapie PrP(Sc). Scrapie cases displayed homogeneous PrP(Sc) features regardless of breed, flock, and geographic origin. The glycoform patterns observed varied with the antibody used, but either a monoclonal antibody (MAb) (F99/97.6.1) or a polyclonal antibody (P7-7) was able to distinguish scrapie from BSE PrP(Sc). While more extensive surveys are needed to further corroborate these findings, our results suggest that large-scale molecular screening of sheep populations for BSE surveillance may be eventually possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romolo Nonno
- Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Purdey M. Does an infrasonic acoustic shock wave resonance of the manganese 3+ loaded/copper depleted prion protein initiate the pathogenesis of TSE? Med Hypotheses 2003; 60:797-820. [PMID: 12699706 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-9877(03)00007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Intensive exposures to natural and artificial sources of infrasonic acoustic shock (tectonic disturbances, supersonic aeroplanes, etc.) have been observed in ecosystems supporting mammalian populations that are blighted by clusters of traditional and new variant strains of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). But TSEs will only emerge in those 'infrasound-rich' environments which are simultaneously influenced by eco-factors that induce a high manganese (Mn)/low copper (Cu)-zinc (Zn) ratio in brains of local mammalian populations. Since cellular prion protein (PrPc) is a cupro-protein expressed throughout the circadian mediated pathways of the body, it is proposed that PrP's Cu component performs a role in the conduction and distribution of endogenous electromagnetic energy; energy that has been transduced from incoming ultraviolet, acoustic, geomagnetic radiations. TSE pathogenesis is initiated once Mn substitutes at the vacant Cu domain on PrPc and forms a nonpathogenic, protease resistant, 'sleeping' prion. A second stage of pathogenesis comes into play once a low frequency wave of infrasonic shock metamorphoses the piezoelectric atomic structure of the Mn 3+ component of the prion, thereby 'priming' the sleeping prion into its fully fledged, pathogenic TSE isoform - where the paramagnetic status of the Mn 3+ atom is transformed into a stable ferrimagnetic lattice work, due to the strong electron-phonon coupling resulting from the dynamic 'Jahn-Teller' type distortions of the oxygen octahedra specific to the trivalent Mn species. The so called 'infectivity' of the prion is a misnomer and should be correctly defined as the contagious field inducing capacity of the ferrimagnetic Mn 3+ component of the prion; which remains pathogenic at all temperatures below the 'curie point'. A progressive domino-like 'metal to ligand to metal' ferrimagnetic corruption of the conduits of electromagnetic superexchange is initiated. The TSE diseased brain can be likened to a solar charged battery on continuous charge; where the Mn contaminated/Cu depleted circadian-auditory pathways absorb and pile up, rather than conduct the vital life force energies of incoming ultra violet, acoustic and geomagnetic radiation. Instead of harnessing these energies for the body's own bio-rhythmic requirements, an infrasonic shock induced metamorphosis of the Mn atom intervenes; initiating an explosive pathogenesis that perverts the healthy pathways of darkness and light; Cu prions are replaced by hyperpolarized Mn 3+ prions that seed self perpetuating 'cluster bombs' of free radical mediated neurodegeneration. TSE ensues.
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22
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Zanusso G, Casalone C, Acutis P, Bozzetta E, Farinazzo A, Gelati M, Fiorini M, Forloni G, Sy MS, Monaco S, Caramelli M. Molecular analysis of iatrogenic scrapie in Italy. J Gen Virol 2003; 84:1047-1052. [PMID: 12655108 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.18774-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An accidental intra- and interspecies transmission of scrapie occurred in Italy in 1997 and 1998 following exposure to a vaccine against Mycoplasma agalactiae. PrP(Sc) in affected sheep and goats, collected from a single flock exposed to vaccination 2 years earlier, was molecularly typed. In five animals with iatrogenic scrapie, a PrP(Sc) type with a 20 kDa core fragment was found in all areas of the brain investigated. In three sheep and one goat, this isoform co-occurred with a fully glycosylated isoform that had a protease-resistant backbone of 17 kDa, whereas in two sheep and four goats, the two PrP(Sc) types were detected in different regions of the brain. In sheep with natural field scrapie, a PrP(Sc) type with physico-chemical properties indistinguishable from the 20 kDa isoform was found. The present results suggest the co-presence of two prion strains in mammary gland and brain homogenates used for vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Zanusso
- Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Casalone
- CEA Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Acutis
- CEA Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Bozzetta
- CEA Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessia Farinazzo
- Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Gelati
- Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Fiorini
- Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Laboratorio di Biologia delle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Man Sun Sy
- Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-1712, USA
| | - Salvatore Monaco
- Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Caramelli
- CEA Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
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23
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Caramelli M, Ru G, Casalone C, Bozzetta E, Acutis PL, Calella A, Forloni G. Evidence for the transmission of scrapie to sheep and goats from a vaccine against Mycoplasma agalactiae. Vet Rec 2001; 148:531-6. [PMID: 11354646 DOI: 10.1136/vr.148.17.531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
An accidental infection from a vaccine was suggested as the explanation for the sudden increase in outbreaks of scrapie in Italy in 1997 and 1998. This paper describes a recent outbreak of scrapie in sheep and goats which were exposed to the same vaccine. No ewes or goats had been imported into the herd since 1992, but a vaccine against Mycoplasma agalactiae had been administered twice, in 1995 and 1997. High rates of crude mortality and scrapie incidence were experienced by both species, all birth cohorts were involved and a large proportion of aged animals was affected. A pattern of brain lesions was observed, with slight differences between the sheep and goats, which was very similar to the pattern observed in animals previously exposed to the same vaccine but clearly different from that observed in the brains of sheep with scrapie in a flock not exposed to the vaccine. Regardless of their exposure status, genotype analysis of the sheep showed the presence of polymorphism only at codon 171. The patterns of both incidence and brain lesions provide evidence that the epidemic of scrapie was due to the use of the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Caramelli
- Centro per le Encefalopatie Animali, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Torino, Italy
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24
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Purdey M. Does an ultra violet photooxidation of the manganese-loaded/copper-depleted prion protein in the retina initiate the pathogenesis of TSE? Med Hypotheses 2001; 57:29-45. [PMID: 11421622 DOI: 10.1054/mehy.2001.1305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems supporting clusters of sporadic transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) are characterized by common properties of high-manganese/low-copper, zinc, selenium mineral status, and high-altitude/snow-covered/pre-cambrian mountain terrain where above-average intensities of ultra violet/ozone oxidants are prevalent. Cell culture trials have confirmed the hypothesis that manganese (Mn) substitutes at Prion Protein's (PrP's) vacated copper (Cu) domain, whereupon PrP loses its Cu-mediated antioxidant function, transforming into a protease-resistant misfolded isoform that aggregates into fibril 'tombstone' structures - the key hallmark distinguishing TSE central nervous system (CNS) pathology. The cellular localisation of PrP suggests PrP serves a 'front line' contributory role in neutralizing radicals generated by incoming environmental oxidants, whilst an intensive expression of PrP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the retina, melanocytes, epidermis, etc., suggests PrP performs a key antioxidant role as a 'photooxidative shock absorber'; binding of porphyrin IX, Congo red and other photosensitisers to PrPc suggests PrPc serves as an integral associate of the porphyrin/melanin chromophore electron transfer chain; thereby serving as a quencher of singlet O2/superoxide generated by photoenergised chromophores/xeno photosensitisers. It is proposed that sporadic TSE pathogenesis is initiated in the retina of environmentally/genetically predisposed individuals via a two-stage chronic toxic process - Mn substitution at PrP's Cu domain forming a stable Mn2+-PrP complex, followed by an ultra violet in situ photo-oxidization of the Mn2+ component; whereby the latent 'Jekyll and Hyde' capacity of the Mn2+-PrP conjugate is activated into the fully fledged, 'infectious' lethal auto-oxidizing, Mn3+-PrP 'prion' agent. Thus, PrPc's Cu-mediated antioxidant function is replaced by a Mn3+-mediated autooxidant dysfunction. Could the UK's increased loading of a cocktail of environmental oxidants that penetrated the CNS of the UK bovine (ultra violet microwaves/ozone/systemic cu-chelating insecticides) account for a more virulent Mn4+ mediated acceleration of the TSE degenerative process in Mn-contaminated/genetically predisposed individuals, manifesting as the widespread emergence of new-variant bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)/variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (VCJD)/FSE in younger mammals?
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Capucchio MT, Guarda F, Pozzato N, Coppolino S, Caracappa S, Di Marco V. Clinical signs and diagnosis of scrapie in Italy: a comparative study in sheep and goats. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. A, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, CLINICAL MEDICINE 2001; 48:23-31. [PMID: 11515309 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2001.00312.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This article reports the clinical signs of scrapie occurring in sheep-goat flocks in Italy. The research, carried out on over 500 goats and 550 sheep, yielded an interesting clinical picture, especially of goat scrapie. The affected animals, aged between 2 and 8 years, showed neurological signs that could be classified into three categories: changes in mental status, abnormalities of movement and changes in sensation. Some general clinical signs were also observed. The clinical suspicion was confirmed by histopathological and biochemical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Capucchio
- Centro di Patologia Comparata Bruno Maria Zaini del Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy
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