Study examines potential cross-species spread of chronic wasting disease
8 reported
A new study from the University of Calgary and international collaborators examined whether chronic wasting disease (CWD) could potentially move beyond deer and elk and infect other species. Published in Science Advances, the research used controlled laboratory experiments to study the zoonotic potential of CWD. Most animals involved did not develop symptoms, but researchers detected small amounts of infectious prions in their tissues. When samples from those animals were transferred to other species, the recipients developed signs of CWD. There has never been a confirmed case of CWD in people, and researchers emphasize their results do not point to an immediate threat to humans. However, scientists say the continued expansion of CWD in wildlife makes surveillance and disease control efforts increasingly important. Researchers at UCalgary are also working on potential vaccines, with early studies in mouse models showing vaccinated animals shed fewer infectious prions and survived longer following exposure.
What’s reported
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Calgary and their international collaborators.
It was published in Science Advances.
Most animals in the experiments did not develop symptoms, but infectious prions were detected in their tissues.
Samples from those animals, when transferred to other species, caused signs of CWD.
There has never been a confirmed case of CWD in humans.
Researchers say the findings do not indicate an immediate risk to humans.
Prions can be shed through urine and feces for months or years before symptoms appear.
Early vaccine studies in mouse models showed vaccinated animals shed fewer prions and survived longer.
Key figures
Dr. Samia Hannaoui, PhD, researcher and assistant professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), first author on the study.
Dr. Hermann Schaetzl, MD, Dr. med, UCVM professor and last author on the study.
Sources: ScienceDaily
