Researchers Identify Potential New Tool for Identifying Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious disease that affects the neurological system in mule deer, elk and moose. It was originally found only in northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming, but its range is spreading. CWD is part of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which today can only be accurately diagnosed in terminally sick animals. Researchers from Colorado State University adapted a current diagnostic technique in the hopes of developing a quicker, easier and more sensitive detection test. Researchers were successful in amplifying prions, the infectious agent that causes CWD, but only by a few hundred-fold; this is not a significant increase over the current sensitivity levels of conventional CWD tests. However, researchers were able to develop new cell lines that are susceptible to CWD prions as a tool for investigating alternative approaches. The researchers are continuing their work by exploring an entirely new method to detect prions, which they hope will lead to the development of a noninvasive diagnostic technique that allows early identification of CWD-afflicted animals. Funding from this study also helped a promising new scientist establish his lab and research program. (D08ZO-316)
Posted by MAFon April 18, 2011.
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