Infectious prions in the saliva and blood of deer with chronic wasting disease.
A critical concern in the transmission of prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, is the potential presence of prions in body fluids. To address this issue directly, we exposed cohorts of CWD-naïve deer to saliva, blood, or urine and feces from CWD-positive deer. We found infectious prions capable of transmitting CWD in saliva (by the oral route) and in blood (by transfusion). The results help to explain the facile transmission of CWD among cervids and prompt caution concerning contact with body fluids in prion infections.
Mathiason
Candace K
CK
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences (CVMBS), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Powers
Jenny G
JG
Dahmes
Sallie J
SJ
Osborn
David A
DA
Miller
Karl V
KV
Warren
Robert J
RJ
Mason
Gary L
GL
Hays
Sheila A
SA
Hayes-Klug
Jeanette
J
Seelig
Davis M
DM
Wild
Margaret A
MA
Wolfe
Lisa L
LL
Spraker
Terry R
TR
Miller
Michael W
MW
Sigurdson
Christina J
CJ
Telling
Glenn C
GC
Hoover
Edward A
EA
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003670:Deer / Q000097:blood; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D034081:Wasting Disease, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000635:transmission*
D011328:Prions