Friday, May 11, 2012

ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.: P-Capt® Filtration Prevents Transmission of Endogenous Blood-Borne Infectivity in Primates

May 11, 2012 11:27 ET




ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.: P-Capt® Filtration Prevents Transmission of Endogenous Blood-Borne Infectivity in Primates




LAVAL, QUEBEC, CANADA and LILLE, FRANCE--(Marketwire - May 11, 2012) - ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:PLI)


Compelling new infectivity data presented at the Prion 2012 conference in Amsterdam


Macaques transfused with leuco-reduced red cells ("L-RBC") developed prion disease


Animals transfused with P-Capt® filtered L-RBC remained asymptomatic after 45 months


P-Capt® filter efficacy proven beyond any doubt


Leuco filtration alone does not provide adequate protection


ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:PLI) ("ProMetic or the "Corporation ") and Macopharma SA ("Macopharma") announced today the presentation of new and compelling data on P-Capt® filter performance at the Prion 2012 Congress being held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


The lack of an established detection method for infectious prions (vCJD) in human blood means animal bioassays must be used to demonstrate the ability of the P-Capt® filter to capture and remove endogenous blood-borne infectivity from leucoreduced red blood cell concentrate. The established 263k scrapie-adapted hamster model is widely used for such studies and the successful removal of endogenous prion infectivity from hamster blood was reported by ProMetic in 2006 [Lancet, Vol. 368, 2226-2230, 2006]. To eliminate any residual concerns regarding P-Capt® filter efficacy and the applicability of the 263k hamster bioassay as a model of vCJD in human blood, a further study has been conducted in a cynomolgus macaque model.


The new study, undertaken by Macopharma and scientists from the CEA Prion Research Group (Fontenay-aux-Roses, France), comprised the collection of blood from cynomolgus macaques infected with BSE and the processing of the infected blood to provide leucoreduced red cell concentrate (L-RBC) using standard methods established for the processing of human blood. Leuco-reduced red cells were transfused into two healthy primates and L-RBC that had been subjected to P-Capt® filtration was transfused into three healthy primates. Both animals in the L-RBC group exhibited symptoms of neurological disease after 30 months and died two months later whereas all three animals in the P-Capt® filtered L-RBC group remained asymptomatic after 45 months.


According to Dr Chryslain Sumian, Research and Development Manager for Pathogen Safety at Macopharma, "this latest data proves beyond any doubt that the P-Capt® filter is effective for reducing the risk of prion disease transmission by blood transfusion". "The cynomolgus macaque bioassay developed at the CEA is the most relevant model for human prion disease owing to the very close genetic make-up of primates and our data demonstrates the ability of the P-Capt® filter to retain endogenous infectivity if present in primate blood" he added.


Dr Steve Burton (CEO of PLI's UK subsidiary ProMetic Biosciences Ltd) commented "not only does this study prove the effectiveness of the P-Capt® filter, it also demonstrates the inability of leucofiltration alone to provide adequate protection against transmission of blood-borne prions". Dr Burton continued "As currently leucofiltration represents the primary measure implemented in the UK to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission by red cells, this new study graphically illustrates the need for an effective prion safety measure for RBC and we urge the UK Government to implement the P-Capt® filter, as recommended by SaBTO in 2009, without further delay"


About variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease


Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease ("vCJD") is characterized by the accumulation of large deposits of misfolded prion protein in the brain and the nervous system and the appearance of sponge-like holes in the brain causing a fatal degenerative CNS disorder. Such abnormal prion proteins may be sufficient to transmit the disease. Although some people's genetic make-up may protect them, at least 89% of the population may be susceptible to vCJD. vCJD was initially transmitted to humans from BSE infected cows presumably by the consumption of BSE contaminated meat, but a secondary route of transmission by the transfusion of blood units from asymptomatic vCJD individuals threatens to increase the prevalence of the fatal disease.


About P-Capt®


P-Capt® is a single-use sterile device which was awarded CE mark approval in September 2006. Red blood cells are passed through the filter under gravity and a highly specific affinity adsorbent material captures and removes any vCJD prion protein.




P-Capt® is the only approved product proven to be effective for the removal of prion infectivity from red blood cell concentrate prior to transfusion. It has been evaluated extensively by the UK Blood Services (including the National Blood Service, the Northern Irish Blood Transfusion Service, the Welsh Blood Service, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service), the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the Health Protection Agency since production of the first batches in 2006 and to date has achieved all of the required performance and safety requirements and met all bench marks. The P-Capt® filter incorporates the prion-specific affinity resin developed by PRDT and supplied by ProMetic to MacoPharma and it is manufactured under licence and distributed by MacoPharma.


About ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.


ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. ("ProMetic") (www.prometic.com) is a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of a variety of commercial applications derived from its proprietary Mimetic Ligand™ technology. This technology is used in large-scale purification of biologics and the elimination of pathogens. ProMetic is also active in therapeutic drug development with the mission to bring to market effective, innovative, lower cost, less toxic products for the treatment of hematology and cancer. Its drug discovery platform is focused on replacing complex, expensive proteins with synthetic "drug-like" protein mimetics. Headquartered in Laval (Canada), ProMetic has R&D facilities in the UK, the U.S. and Canada, manufacturing facilities in the UK and business development activities in the U.S., Europe, Asia and in the Middle-East.


About Macopharma SA


Macopharma SA ("Macopharma") (www.macopharma.com) is an innovator in global healthcare with expertise in the fields of transfusion and infusion. It has become the largest supplier of in-line leucoreduction filtration sets in Europe and is expanding its efforts into the cellular therapy field by developing products for cell expansion, in addition to cell/organ processing and freezing. Headquartered in the Lille metropolitan area (France), MacoPharma has three manufacturing facilities in Europe and their products are sold into more than 70 countries worldwide.


Forward Looking Statements


This press release contains forward-looking statements about ProMetic's objectives, strategies and businesses that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are "forward-looking" because they are based on our current expectations about the markets we operate in and on various estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, ProMetic's ability to develop, manufacture, and successfully commercialize value-added pharmaceutical products, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of ProMetic to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. You will find a more detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from our current expectations on page 27 of ProMetic's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2010, under the heading "Risk Factors". As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, unless required by applicable securities laws and regulations. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise.




Contact Information


Company Inquiries Pierre Laurin President and CEO ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. p.laurin@prometic.com +1.450.781.0115


Frederic Dumais Director, Communications and Investor Relations ProMetic Life Sciences f.dumais@prometic.com +1.450.781.0115


Macopharma contacts Ronald De Lagrange President and CEO Macopharma SA +33 320.118.400


Veronique Lutun Director communications Macopharma SA Veronique.lutun@macopharma.com +33 320.118.400









In the published minutes of its meeting of 9th March 2012, SaBTO describes a revised model for predicting future cases of vCJD by red cell transfusion which is based on current assumptions of factors such as vCJD prevalence in the UK and the amount of infectivity in human blood but which also assumes all previous cases of vCJD transmitted by blood transfusion have been identified and not missed or misdiagnosed. As a consequence the new model assumes a very low amount of infectivity in human blood (1 infectious dose per unit of red cells pre-leucodepletion) in order to make the model fit the actual number of vCJD transfusion transmission cases reported. Even with these revised assumptions discounting the possible missed and or misdiagnosed cases, the new model indicates future vCJD transmission is very likely to occur and could therefore be prevented. The potential for miss-diagnosis of vCJD is a real possibility as the majority of cases to date have been individuals with the MM genotype with very few cases identified for persons with MV or VV genotype. It has been postulated that persons with different genotypes may show different symptoms and rather worryingly the total number of cases of all forms of CJD reported by the UK CJD Surveillance Unit have increased progressively over the last two decades with no apparent explanation.







SaBTO meeting papers – 9 March 2012


24 April, 2012


At its meeting on 9 March 2012, Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) discussed topics including the importation of fresh frozen plasma, prion filtration of red blood cells and double red cell collection as measures to reduce the risk of potential vCJD transmission via transfusion; and those born on/after 1 January 1996 as potential recipients of blood transfusions, and blood donors.






Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs


16th Meeting: Friday 9 March 2012


Room 125A Skipton House,


80 London Road, London SE1 6LH


11am start


AGENDA






SABTO MINUTES 16th Meeting: Friday 9 March 2012






With the abolition of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) on 30th March 2011, a new ACDP TSE Risk Assessment Subgroup has been established.


The terms of references are:


“To provide ACDP as requested with scientifically based assessment of risk from transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in relation to food safety, public and animal health issues, taking appropriate account of scientific uncertainty and assumptions in formulating advice."








Papers


The CMV Position Statement


Download: Importation of fresh frozen plasma, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (PDF,755K)


Download Prion filtration & DRC, effectiveness & cost effectiveness 9 March 2012 (PDF,854K)


The Report of the PRISM A study will be published by the researchers in due course


ACDP paper on blood-borne transmission of vCJD re-examination scenarios










Wednesday, May 9, 2012


Detection of Prion Protein Particles in Blood Plasma of Scrapie Infected Sheep






SEE WEEKLY MAD COW BLOOD RECALLS IN USA ;




Enforcement Report for May 9, 2012


May 9, 2012 12-19 RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: FOODS - CLASS I


PRODUCT Red Blood Cells Leukocytes Reduced. Recall # B-1110-12 CODE Unit: GR84113 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, by fax on August 31, 2007. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood product, collected from a donor considered to be at increased risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), was distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 1 unit DISTRIBUTION MN


___________________________________


PRODUCT Recovered Plasma. Recall # B-1141-12 CODE Unit: W036510157983 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER LifeShare Blood Centers, Alexandria, LA, by electronic notification on February 2, 2012. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood product, collected from a donor who was at risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), was distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 1 unit DISTRIBUTION Switzerland


___________________________________


PRODUCT 1) Red Blood Cells Leukocytes Reduced. Recall # B-1166-12; 2)Whole Blood Leukocytes Reduced. Recall # B-1167-12 CODE 1) Unit: 1620047; 2) Unit: 0890862 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER Hoxworth Blood Center University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, by letter dated October 10, 2006. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood products, collected from a donor who was at risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), were distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 2 units DISTRIBUTION OH


___________________________________


PRODUCT 1) Plasma. Recall # B-1170-12; 2) Red Blood Cells Leukocytes Reduced. Recall # B-1171-12 CODE 1) and 2) Units: 0857962; 0891897 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER Recalling Firm: Blood Centers of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, by telephone on March 16, 2005. Manufacturer: Blood Center of the Pacific, Redding, CA. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood products, collected from a donor considered to be at increased risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), were distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 4 units DISTRIBUTION CA, Switzerland


___________________________________


PRODUCT 1) Plasma. Recall # B-1173-12 2) Red Blood Cells Leukocytes Reduced. Recall # B-1174-12 CODE 1) and 2) Unit: 8202523 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER Blood Centers of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, by telephone on February 22, 2005. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood products, collected from a donor considered to be at increased risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), were distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 2 units DISTRIBUTION CA, Switzerland


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now, what about that atypical L-type BASE BSE in the USA and Canada, human exposure, and blood risk there from ???




Identification of a second bovine amyloidotic spongiform encephalopathy: Molecular similarities with sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease



Cristina Casalone*†, Gianluigi Zanusso†‡, Pierluigi Acutis*, Sergio Ferrari‡, Lorenzo Capucci§, Fabrizio Tagliavini¶, Salvatore Monaco‡ , and Maria Caramelli* *Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Encefalopatie Animali, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna, 148, 10195 Turin, Italy; ‡Department of Neurological and Visual Science, Section of Clinical Neurology, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; §Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; and ¶Istituto Nazionale Neurologico ‘‘Carlo Besta,’’ Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy


Edited by Stanley B. Prusiner, University of California, San Francisco, CA, and approved December 23, 2003 (received for review September 9, 2003)


Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases, are mammalian neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a posttranslational conversion and brain accumulation of an insoluble, protease-resistant isoform (PrPSc) of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC). Human and animal TSE agents exist as different phenotypes that can be biochemically differentiated on the basis of the molecular mass of the protease-resistant PrPSc fragments and the degree of glycosylation. Epidemiological, molecular, and transmission studies strongly suggest that the single strain of agent responsible for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has infected humans, causing variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. The unprecedented biological properties of the BSE agent, which circumvents the so-called ‘‘species barrier’’ between cattle and humans and adapts to different mammalian species, has raised considerable concern for human health. To date, it is unknown whether more than one strain might be responsible for cattle TSE or whether the BSE agent undergoes phenotypic variation after natural transmission. Here we provide evidence of a second cattle TSE. The disorder was pathologically characterized by the presence of PrP-immunopositive amyloid plaques, as opposed to the lack of amyloid deposition in typical BSE cases, and by a different pattern of regional distribution and topology of brain PrPSc accumulation. In addition, Western blot analysis showed a PrPSc type with predominance of the low molecular mass glycoform and a protease- resistant fragment of lower molecular mass than BSE-PrPSc. Strikingly, the molecular signature of this previously undescribed bovine PrPSc was similar to that encountered in a distinct subtype of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.


Phenotypic Similarities Between BASE and sCJD. The transmissibility of CJD brains was initially demonstrated in primates (27), and classification of atypical cases as CJD was based on this property (28). To date, no systematic studies of strain typing in sCJD have been provided, and classification of different subtypes is based on clinical, neuropathological, and molecular features (the polymorphic PRNP codon 129 and the PrPSc glycotype) (8, 9, 15, 19). The importance of molecular PrPSc characterization in assessing the identity of TSE strains is underscored by several studies, showing that the stability of given disease-specific PrPSc types is maintained upon experimental propagation of sCJD, familial CJD, and vCJD isolates in transgenic PrP-humanized mice (8, 29). Similarly, biochemical properties of BSE- and vCJDassociated PrPSc molecules remain stable after passage to mice expressing bovine PrP (30). Recently, however, it has been reported that PrP-humanized mice inoculated with BSE tissues may also propagate a distinctive PrPSc type, with a ‘‘monoglycosylated- dominant’’ pattern and electrophoretic mobility of the unglycosylated fragment slower than that of vCJD and BSE (31). Strikingly, this PrPSc type shares its molecular properties with the a PrPSc molecule found in classical sCJD. This observation is at variance with the PrPSc type found in M V2 sCJD cases and in cattle BASE, showing a monoglycosylated-dominant pattern but faster electrophoretic mobility of the protease-resistant fragment as compared with BSE. In addition to molecular properties of PrPSc, BASE and M V2 sCJD share a distinctive pattern of intracerebral PrP deposition, which occurs as plaque-like and amyloid-kuru plaques. Differences were, however, observed in the regional distribution of PrPSc. While inM V2 sCJD cases the largest amounts of PrPSc were detected in the cerebellum, brainstem, and striatum, in cattle BASE these areas were less involved and the highest levels of PrPSc were recovered from the thalamus and olfactory regions.


In conclusion, decoding the biochemical PrPSc signature of individual human and animal TSE strains may allow the identification of potential risk factors for human disorders with unknown etiology, such as sCJD. However, although BASE and sCJD share several characteristics, caution is dictated in assessing a link between conditions affecting two different mammalian species, based on convergent biochemical properties of diseaseassociated PrPSc types. Strains of TSE agents may be better characterized upon passage to transgenic mice. In the interim until this is accomplished, our present findings suggest a strict epidemiological surveillance of cattle TSE and sCJD based on molecular criteria.







Atypical BSE in Cattle


BSE has been linked to the human disease variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD). The known exposure pathways for humans contracting vCJD are through the consumption of beef and beef products contaminated by the BSE agent and through blood transfusions. However, recent scientific evidence suggests that the BSE agent may play a role in the development of other forms of human prion diseases as well. These studies suggest that classical type of BSE may cause type 2 sporadic CJD and that H-type atypical BSE is connected with a familial form of CJD.





Thursday, August 12, 2010


Seven main threats for the future linked to prions


First threat


The TSE road map defining the evolution of European policy for protection against prion diseases is based on a certain numbers of hypotheses some of which may turn out to be erroneous. In particular, a form of BSE (called atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), recently identified by systematic testing in aged cattle without clinical signs, may be the origin of classical BSE and thus potentially constitute a reservoir, which may be impossible to eradicate if a sporadic origin is confirmed.


***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. These atypical BSE cases constitute an unforeseen first threat that could sharply modify the European approach to prion diseases.


Second threat


snip...





Several transmission experiments in primate models were performed to assess the risk of BSE for human health. Lemurs, marmosets, macaques and squirrel monkeys developed spongiform encephalopathies after intracerebral inoculation of brains from BSE-infected cattle (Baker et al., 1993; Bons et al., 1999; Lasmezas et al., 1996; Williams et al., 2007). Secondary transmission to the same host, i.e. conventional mice, of both macaque BSE and human vCJD induced similar lesional profiles, bringing an additional evidence for the similitude between BSE and vCJD agents (Lasmezas et al., 2001).


Subsequently, lemur and macaque models demonstrated the transmissibility of BSE through the oral route (Bons et al., 1999; Lasmezas et al., 2005). In macaque, 5 grams were sufficient to transmit the disease to one of two inoculated animals (Lasmezas et al., 2005). Furthermore, risk of secondary transmission through transfusion was assessed in the same primate models: infectivity of blood components was demonstrated through intracerebral inoculation in lemurs (Bons et al., 2002), the intravenous route was demonstrated as an efficient way of transmission in macaques (Herzog et al., 2004), and finally transmission was achieved through transfusion in this latter model (Comoy et al., 2008a).


snip...


Intracerebral inoculation of brain from L-BSE-infected cattle to cynomolgus macaque induced a spongiform encephalopathy distinct in all its aspects (clinical, lesional and biochemical) from macaque BSE (Comoy et al., 2008b). In the frame of a primary passage through inoculation of a same amount of infected brain, incubation periods were shorter (23-25 months) than for BSE (38-40


months), suggesting that L-BSE may be more virulent than Classical BSE for infecting primates. LBSE was also tranmissible to microcebes, with shorter incubations than Classical BSE (Baron et al., 2008). Moreover, recent experiments demonstrated the transmissibility of L-BSE to macaque by the oral route (Comoy, 2010) with 5 grams of infected brain, this amount being similar to the one used for oral transmission of Classical BSE in the macaque model.


Histology and biochemistry studies showed similarities between L-BSE-inoculated macaques and MM2 sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patients: infected primates and those rare patients exhibited similar lesional profiles, and their respective PrPres showed the same sensitivity of their N-terminal parts to proteolysis. Moreover, a macaque inoculated with brain of a MM2 sCJD patient showed similar lesional profile as L-BSE infected macaques (Comoy et al., 2009).


snip...


The intracerebral inoculation of L-BSE field isolates produced TSE disease in two lines of mice overexpressing human PrP (Met129), exhibiting a molecular phenotype distinct from Classical BSE (Beringue et al., 2008a; Kong et al., 2008). In one of them, the L-BSE agent appeared to propagate with no obvious transmission barrier: a 100% attack rate was observed on first passage, the incubation time was not reduced on subsequent passaging (Beringue et al., 2008a), and the L-type PrPSc biochemical signature was essentially conserved (Beringue et al., 2008a; Kong et al., 2008). The latter appeared undistinguishable from that seen after experimental inoculation of MM2 sCJD in these mice (Beringue et al., 2007). These transmission features markedly differed from the low transmission efficiency of cattle BSE isolates to this (Beringue et al., 2008a; Beringue et al., 2008b) and other (Asante et al., 2002) human PrP transgenic mouse lines.


Conclusions:


• The true incidence and geographical distribution of atypical forms of BSE has not been established.


• Both L-BSE and H-BSE have shown BSE-like characteristics on transmission studies in some lines of mice. The precise relationship between Classical BSE, H-BSE and L-BSE is not yet clear. However these experiments have shown that the potential for interspecies transmission of Atypical BSE is high.


• Several elements indicate that the L-BSE agent has the potential to be a zoonotic agent. Primates are highly permissive to L-BSE agents, even by the oral route, and these can also propagate without any apparent transmission barrier in transgenic mice overexpressing human PrP.


• In both primates and human PrP transgenic mice models the virulence of the L-BSE agent is significantly higher than that of Classical BSE.


• To date, H-BSE has not been reported as transmissible to mice overexpressing the Met allele of human PrP, nor to primates.






• To date, H-BSE has not been reported as transmissible to mice overexpressing the Met allele of human PrP, nor to primates. ???




please see ;




P.4.23


Transmission of atypical BSE in humanized mouse models


Liuting Qing1, Wenquan Zou1, Cristina Casalone2, Martin Groschup3, Miroslaw Polak4, Maria Caramelli2, Pierluigi Gambetti1, Juergen Richt5, Qingzhong Kong1 1Case Western Reserve University, USA; 2Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale, Italy; 3Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Germany; 4National Veterinary Research Institute, Poland; 5Kansas State University (Previously at USDA National Animal Disease Center), USA


Background: Classical BSE is a world-wide prion disease in cattle, and the classical BSE strain (BSE-C) has led to over 200 cases of clinical human infection (variant CJD). Atypical BSE cases have been discovered in three continents since 2004; they include the L-type (also named BASE), the H-type, and the first reported case of naturally occurring BSE with mutated bovine PRNP (termed BSE-M). The public health risks posed by atypical BSE were largely undefined.


Objectives: To investigate these atypical BSE types in terms of their transmissibility and phenotypes in humanized mice. Methods: Transgenic mice expressing human PrP were inoculated with several classical (C-type) and atypical (L-, H-, or Mtype) BSE isolates, and the transmission rate, incubation time, characteristics and distribution of PrPSc, symptoms, and histopathology were or will be examined and compared.


Results: Sixty percent of BASE-inoculated humanized mice became infected with minimal spongiosis and an average incubation time of 20-22 months, whereas only one of the C-type BSE-inoculated mice developed prion disease after more than 2 years. Protease-resistant PrPSc in BASE-infected humanized Tg mouse brains was biochemically different from bovine BASE or sCJD. PrPSc was also detected in the spleen of 22% of BASE-infected humanized mice, but not in those infected with sCJD. Secondary transmission of BASE in the humanized mice led to a small reduction in incubation time.*** The atypical BSE-H strain is also transmissible with distinct phenotypes in the humanized mice, but no BSE-M transmission has been observed so far.


Discussion: Our results demonstrate that BASE is more virulent than classical BSE, has a lymphotropic phenotype, and displays a modest transmission barrier in our humanized mice. BSE-H is also transmissible in our humanized Tg mice. The possibility of more than two atypical BSE strains will be discussed.


Supported by NINDS NS052319, NIA AG14359, and NIH AI 77774.









P26 TRANSMISSION OF ATYPICAL BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) IN HUMANIZED MOUSE MODELS


Liuting Qing1, Fusong Chen1, Michael Payne1, Wenquan Zou1, Cristina Casalone2, Martin Groschup3, Miroslaw Polak4, Maria Caramelli2, Pierluigi Gambetti1, Juergen Richt5*, and Qingzhong Kong1 1Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; 2CEA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale, Italy; 3Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Germany; 4National Veterinary Research Institute, Poland; 5Kansas State University, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology Department, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. *Previous address: USDA National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA 50010, USA


Classical BSE is a world-wide prion disease in cattle, and the classical BSE strain (BSE-C) has led to over 200 cases of clinical human infection (variant CJD). Two atypical BSE strains, BSE-L (also named BASE) and BSE-H, have been discovered in three continents since 2004. The first case of naturally occurring BSE with mutated bovine PrP gene (termed BSE-M) was also found in 2006 in the USA. The transmissibility and phenotypes of these atypical BSE strains/isolates in humans were unknown. We have inoculated humanized transgenic mice with classical and atypical BSE strains (BSE-C, BSE-L, BSE-H) and the BSE-M isolate. We have found that the atypical BSE-L strain is much more virulent than the classical BSE-C.*** The atypical BSE-H strain is also transmissible in the humanized transgenic mice with distinct phenotype, but no transmission has been observed for the BSE-M isolate so far.


III International Symposium on THE NEW PRION BIOLOGY: BASIC SCIENCE, DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY 2 - 4 APRIL 2009, VENEZIA (ITALY)









I ask Professor Kong ;


Thursday, December 04, 2008 3:37 PM Subject: RE: re--Chronic Wating Disease (CWD) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathies (BSE): Public Health Risk Assessment


''IS the h-BSE more virulent than typical BSE as well, or the same as cBSE, or less virulent than cBSE? just curious.....''


Professor Kong reply ;


.....snip


''As to the H-BSE, we do not have sufficient data to say one way or another, but we have found that H-BSE can infect humans. I hope we could publish these data once the study is complete. Thanks for your interest.''


Best regards, Qingzhong Kong, PhD Associate Professor Department of Pathology Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH 44106 USA


END...TSS


Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:37 PM


"we have found that H-BSE can infect humans."


personal communication with Professor Kong. ...TSS


BSE-H is also transmissible in our humanized Tg mice.


The possibility of more than two atypical BSE strains will be discussed.


Supported by NINDS NS052319, NIA AG14359, and NIH AI 77774.











Research Experimental H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy characterized by plaques and glial- and stellate-type prion protein deposits




Hiroyuki Okada1*, Yoshifumi Iwamaru1, Morikazu Imamura1, Kentaro Masujin1, Yuichi Matsuura1, Yoshihisa Shimizu1, Kazuo Kasai1, Shirou Mohri1, Takashi Yokoyama1 and Stefanie Czub2


* Corresponding author: Hiroyuki Okada okadahi@affrc.go.jp


Author Affiliations


1 Prion Disease Research Center, National Institute of Animal Health, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan


2 Canadian and OIE Reference Laboratories for BSE, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Lethbridge Laboratory, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada


For all author emails, please log on.


Veterinary Research 2011, 42:79 doi:10.1186/1297-9716-42-79


The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/42/1/79


Received:


5 January 2011


Accepted:


23 June 2011


Published:


23 June 2011


© 2011 Okada et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.


This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Abstract


Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has recently been identified in Europe, North America, and Japan. It is classified as H-type and L-type BSE according to the molecular mass of the disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc). To investigate the topographical distribution and deposition patterns of immunolabeled PrPSc, H-type BSE isolate was inoculated intracerebrally into cattle. H-type BSE was successfully transmitted to 3 calves, with incubation periods between 500 and 600 days. Moderate to severe spongiform changes were detected in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices, basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem. H-type BSE was characterized by the presence of PrP-immunopositive amyloid plaques in the white matter of the cerebrum, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Moreover, intraglial-type immunolabeled PrPSc was prominent throughout the brain. Stellate-type immunolabeled PrPSc was conspicuous in the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus, but not in the brainstem. In addition, PrPSc accumulation was detected in the peripheral nervous tissues, such as trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, optic nerve, retina, and neurohypophysis. Cattle are susceptible to H-type BSE with a shorter incubation period, showing distinct and distinguishable phenotypes of PrPSc accumulation.




snip...


Discussion


This study demonstrated successful intraspecies transmission of H-type BSE characterized by a shorter incubation period as compared with C-type BSE [19]. To the best of our knowledge, thus far, neuropathological and immunohistochemical data for H-type BSE have only been reported from the medulla oblongata at the obex in German, United States, and Swedish field cases [10,13,24]. This is related to the fact that only the obex region is sampled for BSE rapid tests and other brain regions are often unavailable due to marked autolysis, limitations in collection infrastructure, or freezing artifacts [10,13,24,25]. This is the first presentation of H-type lesion profiles involving the whole CNS and additional nervous tissues, although of experimentally infected animals. Incubation periods in the cattle challenged with the Canadian H-type BSE (mean period, 18 months) were two months longer than those reported in cattle challenged with German H-type BSE [20]. This difference in incubation periods has several potential explanations, which include differences in agents tested, inoculum titers, and breeding conditions. Infectivity titer issues might be resolved by comparing second-passage infection experiment results.


snip...


Since 2003, sporadic and discontinuous occurrence of atypical BSE has been detected in Europe, North America, and Japan. Although, till date, the origin and frequency of atypical BSE is unknown, a high prevalence is found in older cattle over the age of eight years. This is the result of the active surveillance programs using rapid screening tests, with the exception of a Zebu case [38]. It has been reported that H-type BSE can be the result of a naturally occurring, heritable variant caused by glutamic acid/lysine polymorphism at codon 211 of the bovine PRNP gene (E211K) [11,58]. However, our cases, although experimentally challenged via the intracranial route, and the original Canadian H-type BSE field case [11,58] developed the disease without the Okada et al. Veterinary Research 2011, 42:79 http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/42/1/79


Page 9 of 11


novel mutation E211K within PRNP. Therefore, atypical BSE seemed to be sporadic rather than inherited with a higher risk in fallen stock than in healthy slaughtered cattle [8,13,25], suggesting that young adult cattle affected with atypical BSE might be dormant carriers. Further studies are required to determine the epidemiological significance and origin of atypical BSE.


The present study demonstrated successful intraspecies transmission of H-type BSE to cattle and the distribution and immunolabeling patterns of PrPSc in the brain of the H-type BSE-challenged cattle. TSE agent virulence can be minimally defined by oral transmission of different TSE agents (C-type, L-type, and H-type BSE agents) [59]. Oral transmission studies with H-type BSEinfected cattle have been initiated and are underway to provide information regarding the extent of similarity in the immunohistochemical and molecular features before and after transmission.


In addition, the present data will support risk assessments in some peripheral tissues derived from cattle affected with H-type BSE.


see ;


Experimental H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy characterized by plaques and glial- and stellate-type prion protein deposits


Hiroyuki Okada1*, Yoshifumi Iwamaru1, Morikazu Imamura1, Kentaro Masujin1, Yuichi Matsuura1, Yoshihisa Shimizu1 , Kazuo Kasai1, Shirou Mohri1, Takashi Yokoyama1 and Stefanie Czub2








MAD COW USDA ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE, the rest of the story...


***Oral Transmission of L-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Primate Model






***Infectivity in skeletal muscle of BASE-infected cattle






***feedstuffs- It also suggests a similar cause or source for atypical BSE in these countries.






***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.






full text ;


atypical L-type BASE BSE






Tuesday, May 1, 2012


BSE MAD COW LETTERS TO USDA (Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture) and FDA (Magaret Hamburg, Commissioner of FDA) May 1, 2012






Wednesday, May 2, 2012


ARS FLIP FLOPS ON SRM REMOVAL FOR ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE RISK HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH






Friday, May 4, 2012


May 2, 2012: Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States












Sunday, March 11, 2012


APHIS Proposes New Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Import Regulations in Line with International Animal Health Standards Proposal Aims to Ensure Health of the U.S. Beef Herd, Assist in Negotiations






Wednesday, April 4, 2012


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines and Bovine Products APHIS-2008-0010-0008 RIN:0579-AC68






Sunday, May 6, 2012


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Mad Cow Disease, BSE May 2, 2012 IOWA State University OIE






SPONTANEOUS ??? NOT...


How the California cow got the disease remains unknown. Government officials expressed confidence that contaminated food was not the source, saying the animal had atypical L-type BSE, a rare variant not generally associated with an animal consuming infected feed.


However, a BSE expert said that consumption of infected material is the only known way that cattle get the disease under natural conditons.


“In view of what we know about BSE after almost 20 years experience, contaminated feed has been the source of the epidemic,” said Paul Brown, a scientist retired from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. BSE is not caused by a microbe. It is caused by the misfolding of the so-called “prion protein” that is a normal constituent of brain and other tissues. If a diseased version of the protein enters the brain somehow, it can slowly cause all the normal versions to become misfolded.


It is possible the disease could arise spontaneously, though such an event has never been recorded, Brown said.






USA FDA TRIPLE FIREWALL I.E. MAD COW FEED BAN ?


nothing but ink on paper. see ONE DECADE, TEN YEARS, POST PARTIAL AND VOLUNTARY MAD COW FEED BAN USA ;


10,000,000+ LBS. of PROHIBITED BANNED MAD COW FEED I.E. BLOOD LACED MBM IN COMMERCE USA 2007


Date: March 21, 2007 at 2:27 pm PST


RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: VETERINARY MEDICINES -- CLASS II


PRODUCT


Bulk cattle feed made with recalled Darling's 85% Blood Meal, Flash Dried, Recall # V-024-2007


CODE


Cattle feed delivered between 01/12/2007 and 01/26/2007


RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER


Pfeiffer, Arno, Inc, Greenbush, WI. by conversation on February 5, 2007.


Firm initiated recall is ongoing.


REASON


Blood meal used to make cattle feed was recalled because it was cross- contaminated with prohibited bovine meat and bone meal that had been manufactured on common equipment and labeling did not bear cautionary BSE statement.


VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE


42,090 lbs.


DISTRIBUTION


WI


___________________________________


PRODUCT


Custom dairy premix products: MNM ALL PURPOSE Pellet, HILLSIDE/CDL Prot- Buffer Meal, LEE, M.-CLOSE UP PX Pellet, HIGH DESERT/ GHC LACT Meal, TATARKA, M CUST PROT Meal, SUNRIDGE/CDL PROTEIN Blend, LOURENZO, K PVM DAIRY Meal, DOUBLE B DAIRY/GHC LAC Mineral, WEST PIONT/GHC CLOSEUP Mineral, WEST POINT/GHC LACT Meal, JENKS, J/COMPASS PROTEIN Meal, COPPINI - 8# SPECIAL DAIRY Mix, GULICK, L-LACT Meal (Bulk), TRIPLE J - PROTEIN/LACTATION, ROCK CREEK/GHC MILK Mineral, BETTENCOURT/GHC S.SIDE MK-MN, BETTENCOURT #1/GHC MILK MINR, V&C DAIRY/GHC LACT Meal, VEENSTRA, F/GHC LACT Meal, SMUTNY, A- BYPASS ML W/SMARTA, Recall # V-025-2007


CODE


The firm does not utilize a code - only shipping documentation with commodity and weights identified.


RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER


Rangen, Inc, Buhl, ID, by letters on February 13 and 14, 2007. Firm initiated recall is complete.


REASON


Products manufactured from bulk feed containing blood meal that was cross contaminated with prohibited meat and bone meal and the labeling did not bear cautionary BSE statement.


VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE


9,997,976 lbs.


DISTRIBUTION


ID and NV


END OF ENFORCEMENT REPORT FOR MARCH 21, 2007






2006, was such a banner year for banned mad cow protein in commerce, it was measured in TONNAGE, not pounds. ...TSS

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Prionet Canada coming to a close in 2012, a sad day for TSE Prion science in North America

Prionet Canada coming to a close in 2012, a sad day for TSE Prion science in North America
 
 
 
This issue of PrioNews marks the final newsletter for PrioNet as a Network of Centres of Excellence. It is with great sadness that we witness our Network come to a close in 2012, but we are confident the great research we have helped support over the last seven years will flourish for many years to come through new opportunities.
 
 
 
PrioNet Canada was a $35 million initiative launched in 2005 by the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program established to coordinate Canada’s research and policy response to the impact of prion diseases in Canada. Since that time, PrioNet has conducted fundamental, applied, and social research to help solve the food, health safety, and socioeconomic problems associated with prion diseases such as BSE, CWD, and CJD. We recently expanded our mission to include groundbreaking research implicating prion disease mechanisms in other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), largely in part driven by PrioNet investigators.
 
 
 
PrioNet exemplified a functional, cohesive, and responsive network supporting research projects and partnerships to deliver maximum impact. PrioNet developed the foundation, partners, capacity and expertise to convert major health and economic burdens from prion and prion related disease into public policy and commercializable solutions for the benefit of Canada.
 
 
 
PrioNet’s achievements put Canada at the global forefront of prion research, made possible by its community of scientists, students, and other young professionals networking with stakeholders and partners. PrioNet’s approach of leveraging its multidisciplinary research program for maximum results, liaising synergistic activities with international partners, training highly skilled people for Canada’s workforce, and translating knowledge into practical solutions to derive socioeconomic benefits to Canadians was a uniquely Canadian solution that produced great results.
 
 
 
Like parts of a complex puzzle, PrioNet discoveries, assembled together, have helped to answer questions surrounding prion and prion-like diseases.
 
 
 
Like parts of a complex puzzle, PrioNet discoveries, assembled together, have helped to answer some of the major risk, socioeconomic, and biological questions surrounding prion and prion-like diseases. In the pages of this final newsletter, you will read a few selected examples of our success in our “Research Reflections” story.
 
 
 
On behalf of all Canadians who have benefited from these discoveries, PrioNet wishes to thank each and every member of the network community for their contributions over the last seven years. We know Canada will continue to benefit from the knowledge our network has created well into the future, and we look forward to seeing what remains to be discovered in this crucial field of research.
 
 
 
Dr. Neil Cashman, Scientific Director
 
 
 
Dr. Michelle Wong, Executive Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
THIS is a sad day for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE PRION research, a sad day indeed. Actually, it’s worse than that, it’s a loss for TSE Prion Scientific research.
 
 
 
To the youngsters getting into the field of TSE Prion research, GO FOR IT. we need you.
 
 
 
PRIONET Canada folks put out some fantastic work, Thank You Prionet Canada et al, we WILL miss you, North America will miss you.

Sadly, the work is not finished yet. ... TSS
 
 
 
 
Employment Listings position: Post Doctoral Fellow | Atypical BSE in Cattle

Closing date: December 24, 2009

Anticipated start date: January/February 2010

Employer: Canadian and OIE Reference Laboratories for BSE CFIA Lethbridge Laboratory, Lethbridge/Alberta

The Canadian and OIE reference laboratories for BSE are extensively involved in prion diseases diagnosis and research. With a recent increase in research activities and funding, the laboratory is looking to fill two post doctoral fellow positions. Both positions will be located at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Lethbridge Laboratory which offers biosaftey level 3 (BSL3) and BSL2 laboratory space and is well equipped for molecular and morphologic prion research. The facility also has a BSL3 large animal housing wing and a state of the art post mortem room certified for prion work. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to visit other laboratories to cooperate in various aspects of the projects and to be trained in new techniques and acquire new skills. With a recent increase in prion disease expertise and research in Alberta and Canada, these positions will offer significant exposure to cutting edge prion science via videoconferencing, meetings, workshops and conferences. These interactions will also provide a valuable opportunity to present research findings and discuss potential future work opportunities and collaborations with other Canadian and international research groups.

Atypical BSE in Cattle
 
 
 
BSE has been linked to the human disease variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD). The known exposure pathways for humans contracting vCJD are through the consumption of beef and beef products contaminated by the BSE agent and through blood transfusions. However, recent scientific evidence suggests that the BSE agent may play a role in the development of other forms of human prion diseases as well. These studies suggest that classical type of BSE may cause type 2 sporadic CJD and that H-type atypical BSE is connected with a familial form of CJD.
 
 
 
To date the OIE/WAHO assumes that the human and animal health standards set out in the BSE chapter for classical BSE (C-Type) applies to all forms of BSE which include the H-type and L-type atypical forms. This assumption is scientifically not completely justified and accumulating evidence suggests that this may in fact not be the case. Molecular characterization and the spatial distribution pattern of histopathologic lesions and immunohistochemistry (IHC) signals are used to identify and characterize atypical BSE. Both the L-type and H-type atypical cases display significant differences in the conformation and spatial accumulation of the disease associated prion protein (PrPSc) in brains of afflicted cattle. Transmission studies in bovine transgenic and wild type mouse models support that the atypical BSE types might be unique strains because they have different incubation times and lesion profiles when compared to C-type BSE. When L-type BSE was inoculated into ovine transgenic mice and Syrian hamster the resulting molecular fingerprint had changed, either in the first or a subsequent passage, from L-type into C-type BSE. In addition, non-human primates are specifically susceptible for atypical BSE as demonstrated by an approximately 50% shortened incubation time for L-type BSE as compared to C-type. Considering the current scientific information available, it cannot be assumed that these different BSE types pose the same human health risks as C-type BSE or that these risks are mitigated by the same protective measures.
 
 
 
This study will contribute to a correct definition of specified risk material (SRM) in atypical BSE. The incumbent of this position will develop new and transfer existing, ultra-sensitive methods for the detection of atypical BSE in tissue of experimentally infected cattle.
 
 
 
Responsibilities include:
 
 
 
Driving research at the National and OIE BSE reference lab to ensure project milestones are met successfully. Contributing to the preparation of project progress reports. Directing technical staff working on the project. Communicating and discussing results, progress and future direction with project principle investigator(s). Communicating with collaborative project partners.
 
 
 
Qualifications:
 
 
 
Successful completion of a PhD degree in an area focusing on or related to prion diseases. Extensive experience with molecular and/or morphologic techniques used in studying prion diseases and/or other protein misfolding disorders. Ability to think independently and contribute new ideas. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet challenges in a timely manner. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
 
 
 
How to apply:
 
 
 
Please send your application and/or inquiry to: Dr. Stefanie Czub, DVM, Ph.D. Head, National and OIE BSE Reference Laboratory Canadian Food Inspection Agency Lethbridge Laboratory P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1 Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z4 Canada
 
 
 
phone: +1-403-382-5500 +1-403-382-5500 ext. 5549 email: stefanie.czub@inspection.gc.ca
 
 
 
Contact Info:
 
 
 
Last Updated: 12/10/2009 1:35:18 PM
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday, August 12, 2010
 
 
 
Seven main threats for the future linked to prions
 
 
 
First threat
 
 
 
The TSE road map defining the evolution of European policy for protection against prion diseases is based on a certain numbers of hypotheses some of which may turn out to be erroneous. In particular, a form of BSE (called atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), recently identified by systematic testing in aged cattle without clinical signs, may be the origin of classical BSE and thus potentially constitute a reservoir, which may be impossible to eradicate if a sporadic origin is confirmed.

***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. These atypical BSE cases constitute an unforeseen first threat that could sharply modify the European approach to prion diseases.
 
 
 
Second threat

snip...

 
 
 
MAD COW USDA ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE, the rest of the story...
 
 
 
***Oral Transmission of L-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Primate Model
 
 
 
 
 
 
***Infectivity in skeletal muscle of BASE-infected cattle
 
 
 
 
 
 
***feedstuffs- It also suggests a similar cause or source for atypical BSE in these countries.
 
 
 
 
 
 
***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.

 
 
 
full text ;

atypical L-type BASE BSE

 
 
 
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
 
 
 
BSE MAD COW LETTERS TO USDA (Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture) and FDA (Magaret Hamburg, Commissioner of FDA) May 1, 2012
 
 
 
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
 
 
 
ARS FLIP FLOPS ON SRM REMOVAL FOR ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE RISK HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH

 
 
 
Friday, May 4, 2012
 
 
 
May 2, 2012: Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sunday, March 11, 2012
 
 
 
APHIS Proposes New Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Import Regulations in Line with International Animal Health Standards Proposal Aims to Ensure Health of the U.S. Beef Herd, Assist in Negotiations

 
 
 
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
 
 
 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines and Bovine Products APHIS-2008-0010-0008 RIN:0579-AC68

 
 
 
Sunday, May 6, 2012

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Mad Cow Disease, BSE May 2, 2012 IOWA State University OIE
 
 
 
 
 
 
SPONTANEOUS ??? NOT...
 
 
 
How the California cow got the disease remains unknown. Government officials expressed confidence that contaminated food was not the source, saying the animal had atypical L-type BSE, a rare variant not generally associated with an animal consuming infected feed.
 
 
 
However, a BSE expert said that consumption of infected material is the only known way that cattle get the disease under natural conditons.
 
 
 
“In view of what we know about BSE after almost 20 years experience, contaminated feed has been the source of the epidemic,” said Paul Brown, a scientist retired from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.
 
 
 
BSE is not caused by a microbe. It is caused by the misfolding of the so-called “prion protein” that is a normal constituent of brain and other tissues. If a diseased version of the protein enters the brain somehow, it can slowly cause all the normal versions to become misfolded.
 
 
 
It is possible the disease could arise spontaneously, though such an event has never been recorded, Brown said.

 
 
 
Identification of a second bovine amyloidotic spongiform encephalopathy: Molecular similarities with sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
 
 
 
Cristina Casalone*†, Gianluigi Zanusso†‡, Pierluigi Acutis*, Sergio Ferrari‡, Lorenzo Capucci§, Fabrizio Tagliavini¶, Salvatore Monaco‡ , and Maria Caramelli* *Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Encefalopatie Animali, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna, 148, 10195 Turin, Italy; ‡Department of Neurological and Visual Science, Section of Clinical Neurology, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; §Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; and ¶Istituto Nazionale Neurologico ‘‘Carlo Besta,’’ Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
 
 
 
Edited by Stanley B. Prusiner, University of California, San Francisco, CA, and approved December 23, 2003 (received for review September 9, 2003)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases, are mammalian neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a posttranslational conversion and brain accumulation of an insoluble, protease-resistant isoform (PrPSc) of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC). Human and animal TSE agents exist as different phenotypes that can be biochemically differentiated on the basis of the molecular mass of the protease-resistant PrPSc fragments and the degree of glycosylation. Epidemiological, molecular, and transmission studies strongly suggest that the single strain of agent responsible for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has infected humans, causing variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. The unprecedented biological properties of the BSE agent, which circumvents the so-called ‘‘species barrier’’ between cattle and humans and adapts to different mammalian species, has raised considerable concern for human health. To date, it is unknown whether more than one strain might be responsible for cattle TSE or whether the BSE agent undergoes phenotypic variation after natural transmission. Here we provide evidence of a second cattle TSE. The disorder was pathologically characterized by the presence of PrP-immunopositive amyloid plaques, as opposed to the lack of amyloid deposition in typical BSE cases, and by a different pattern of regional distribution and topology of brain PrPSc accumulation. In addition, Western blot analysis showed a PrPSc type with predominance of the low molecular mass glycoform and a protease- resistant fragment of lower molecular mass than BSE-PrPSc. Strikingly, the molecular signature of this previously undescribed bovine PrPSc was similar to that encountered in a distinct subtype of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
 
 
 
Phenotypic Similarities Between BASE and sCJD. The transmissibility of CJD brains was initially demonstrated in primates (27), and classification of atypical cases as CJD was based on this property (28). To date, no systematic studies of strain typing in sCJD have been provided, and classification of different subtypes is based on clinical, neuropathological, and molecular features (the polymorphic PRNP codon 129 and the PrPSc glycotype) (8, 9, 15, 19). The importance of molecular PrPSc characterization in assessing the identity of TSE strains is underscored by several studies, showing that the stability of given disease-specific PrPSc types is maintained upon experimental propagation of sCJD, familial CJD, and vCJD isolates in transgenic PrP-humanized mice (8, 29). Similarly, biochemical properties of BSE- and vCJDassociated PrPSc molecules remain stable after passage to mice expressing bovine PrP (30). Recently, however, it has been reported that PrP-humanized mice inoculated with BSE tissues may also propagate a distinctive PrPSc type, with a ‘‘monoglycosylated- dominant’’ pattern and electrophoretic mobility of the unglycosylated fragment slower than that of vCJD and BSE (31). Strikingly, this PrPSc type shares its molecular properties with the a PrPSc molecule found in classical sCJD. This observation is at variance with the PrPSc type found in M V2 sCJD cases and in cattle BASE, showing a monoglycosylated-dominant pattern but faster electrophoretic mobility of the protease-resistant fragment as compared with BSE. In addition to molecular properties of PrPSc, BASE and M V2 sCJD share a distinctive pattern of intracerebral PrP deposition, which occurs as plaque-like and amyloid-kuru plaques. Differences were, however, observed in the regional distribution of PrPSc. While inM V2 sCJD cases the largest amounts of PrPSc were detected in the cerebellum, brainstem, and striatum, in cattle BASE these areas were less involved and the highest levels of PrPSc were recovered from the thalamus and olfactory regions.
 
 
 
In conclusion, decoding the biochemical PrPSc signature of individual human and animal TSE strains may allow the identification of potential risk factors for human disorders with unknown etiology, such as sCJD. However, although BASE and sCJD share several characteristics, caution is dictated in assessing a link between conditions affecting two different mammalian species, based on convergent biochemical properties of diseaseassociated PrPSc types. Strains of TSE agents may be better characterized upon passage to transgenic mice. In the interim until this is accomplished, our present findings suggest a strict epidemiological surveillance of cattle TSE and sCJD based on molecular criteria.

 
 
 
with sad regards,

I am Sincerely,
 
 
 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518 flounder9@verizon.net
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Detection of Prion Protein Particles in Blood Plasma of Scrapie Infected Sheep

Detection of Prion Protein Particles in Blood Plasma of Scrapie Infected Sheep




Oliver Bannach1#*, Eva Birkmann1,2#, Elke Reinartz1, Karl-Erich Jaeger3, Jan P. M. Langeveld4, Robert G. Rohwer5, Luisa Gregori5,7¤, Linda A. Terry6, Dieter Willbold1,2, Detlev Riesner1


1 Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany, 2 Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany, 3 Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany, 4 Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR (CVI), Lelystad, The Netherlands, 5 VA Maryland Health Care System, Molecular Neurovirology Laboratory, Medical Research Service 151, VA Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 6 Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom, 7 Department of Neurology, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America


Abstract Top


Prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. The agent of the disease is the prion consisting mainly, if not solely, of a misfolded and aggregated isoform of the host-encoded prion protein (PrP). Transmission of prions can occur naturally but also accidentally, e.g. by blood transfusion, which has raised serious concerns about blood product safety and emphasized the need for a reliable diagnostic test. In this report we present a method based on surface-FIDA (fluorescence intensity distribution analysis), that exploits the high state of molecular aggregation of PrP as an unequivocal diagnostic marker of the disease, and show that it can detect infection in blood. To prepare PrP aggregates from blood plasma we introduced a detergent and lipase treatment to separate PrP from blood lipophilic components. Prion protein aggregates were subsequently precipitated by phosphotungstic acid, immobilized on a glass surface by covalently bound capture antibodies, and finally labeled with fluorescent antibody probes. Individual PrP aggregates were visualized by laser scanning microscopy where signal intensity was proportional to aggregate size. After signal processing to remove the background from low fluorescence particles, fluorescence intensities of all remaining PrP particles were summed. We detected PrP aggregates in plasma samples from six out of ten scrapie-positive sheep with no false positives from uninfected sheep. Applying simultaneous intensity and size discrimination, ten out of ten samples from scrapie sheep could be differentiated from uninfected sheep. The implications for ante mortem diagnosis of prion diseases are discussed.


snip...




As for any transmissible disease, sensitive and reliable diagnostic procedures are obvious prerequisites to the control of transmission. To control the BSE epidemic not only in Europe, but also in Japan and Canada, an effective strategy of active monitoring is being carried out through post mortem testing on cattle brain tissue. All of these tests are based on detection of the PK-resistant forms of PrPSc except for a single test that detects PrPSc aggregates captured by an aggregate-specific ligand without PK digestion [5]. The BSE epidemic is now largely contained. Approximately 200 cases of variant CJD (vCJD) have shown, however, that BSE can cross the species barrier to human. Unresolved problems include the lack of sensitive live tests, incomplete knowledge of sources and routes of exposure and transmission, and means to assess, monitor and manage the public health risks from infected blood.


Transmission via blood has been shown in experimental rodents like hamster [6], [7] as well as in species naturally susceptible to prion diseases like sheep and deer [8], [9]. Moreover, some cases of secondary variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (svCJD) have been reported that were caused by blood transfusion from presymptomatic vCJD patients [10], [11]. Transfusion transmission occurs despite the low concentration of prion infectivity in blood, ~10 infectious doses/ml in clinically affected rodents, or 7 to 9 orders of magnitude less than the concentration in the brains of symptomatic mice or hamsters [7]. Post mortem tests on brain samples can be carried out with high sensitivity and reliability, whereas qualitatively similar tests based on body fluids of afflicted humans or animals have yet to be developed. Blood tests are, however, highly desired for pathogenesis studies, blood transfusion safety and CJD-therapy assessment.


In recent years significant progress has been made in the field of prion diagnostics with the development of prion seeded amplification technologies like protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA, [12]), quaking induced conversion (QuIC, [13]), and amyloid seeding assay (ASA, [14]). QuIC was successfully applied to cerebrospinal fluid samples from sporadic CJD patients [15], [16] and rodent blood [17]. Using PMCA, it has been possible to detect PrPSc in blood from prion-infected hamsters, sheep and deer [18]–[23]. At present, however, PMCA is carried out reliably, i.e. without false positives, only in highly specialized laboratories. In another development, PrPSc was detected in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) of scrapie-afflicted sheep [24], and in blood samples of variant CJD cases by an improved immune detection method of surface-captured prions that did not require the use of in vitro amplification and protease digestion [25].


In this study we have investigated PrP aggregates, PK-resistant as well as PK-sensitive forms, in blood plasma of scrapie-infected sheep. We have adapted our previously developed fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (surface-FIDA) technique [26], [27] for analysis of blood samples of sheep. PrP aggregates are partially purified from blood plasma, captured on a surface by covalently bound antibodies and made visible by fluorophore-labeled detection antibodies. The fluorescence emitted in response to a scanning laser beam is transformed into an image of the PrP fluorescence intensities on the surface. Several features of the method, e.g. sample preparation, detection, and data processing, guarantee that PrP aggregates can be differentiated safely from PrPC. We show that PrP aggregates are detectable in blood of scrapie-infected sheep and that their presence indicates scrapie infection.




snip...




In an earlier study, we described the detection of PrP aggregates with high sensitivity in brain homogenate of BSE cattle, and in a small number of cerebrospinal fluid samples from BSE cattle [26]. According to the literature, infectivity in blood - even in symptomatic experimental hamsters - is as low as 10 infectious units per ml [33], [34]. In BSE-afflicted cattle infectivity is absent from the lymphatic system and has never been reported in blood [35], [36].


However, seeding activity was demonstrated in a small number of BSE serum samples [37].


Considerable effort was spent not only in improving the sensitivity of the assay but also in optimizing the preparation of PrP aggregates from blood plasma. Though it is not certain that the PrP aggregates we analyzed are indeed the carriers of infectivity in blood, they are a consistent marker of infection. The direct determination of infectivity in these PrP aggregates from blood remains to be established.










MAD COW USDA ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE, the rest of the story...


***Oral Transmission of L-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Primate Model




***Infectivity in skeletal muscle of BASE-infected cattle




***feedstuffs- It also suggests a similar cause or source for atypical BSE in these countries.




***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.




full text ;


atypical L-type BASE BSE




Tuesday, May 1, 2012 BSE MAD COW LETTERS TO USDA (Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture) and FDA (Magaret Hamburg, Commissioner of FDA) May 1, 2012




Wednesday, May 2, 2012


ARS FLIP FLOPS ON SRM REMOVAL FOR ATYPICAL L-TYPE BASE BSE RISK HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH




Friday, May 4, 2012


May 2, 2012: Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States








Sunday, March 11, 2012


APHIS Proposes New Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Import Regulations in Line with International Animal Health Standards Proposal Aims to Ensure Health of the U.S. Beef Herd, Assist in Negotiations




Wednesday, April 4, 2012


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines and Bovine Products APHIS-2008-0010-0008 RIN:0579-AC68




Sunday, May 6, 2012


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Mad Cow Disease, BSE May 2, 2012 IOWA State University OIE






Sunday, February 12, 2012


National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center Cases Examined1 (August 19, 2011) including Texas






Subject: Prion diseases are efficiently transmitted by blood transfusion in sheep Date: July 26, 2008 at 8:55 am PST


-------------------- BSE-L@LISTS.AEGEE.ORG --------------------


Submitted April 18, 2008 Accepted June 28, 2008


Prion diseases are efficiently transmitted by blood transfusion in sheep


Fiona Houston*, Sandra McCutcheon, Wilfred Goldmann, Angela Chong, James Foster, Silvia Siso, Lorenzo Gonzalez, Martin Jeffrey, and Nora Hunter Division of Animal Production and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom Neuropathogenesis Division, Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Lasswade Laboratory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom


* Corresponding author; email: f.houston@vet.gla.ac.uk.


The emergence of variant Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (vCJD), following on from the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic, led to concerns about the potential risk of iatrogenic transmission of disease by blood transfusion and the introduction of costly control measures to protect blood supplies. We previously reported preliminary data demonstrating the transmission of BSE and natural scrapie by blood transfusion in sheep. The final results of this experiment, reported here, give unexpectedly high transmission rates by transfusion of 36% for BSE and 43% for scrapie. A proportion of BSE-infected tranfusion recipients (3/8) survived for up to 7 years without showing clinical signs of disease. The majority of transmissions resulted from blood collected from donors at >50% of the estimated incubation period. The high transmission rates and relatively short and consistent incubation periods in clinically positive recipients suggest that infectivity titres in blood were substantial and/or that blood transfusion is an efficient method of transmission. This experiment has established the value of using sheep as a model for studying transmission of vCJD by blood products in humans.




Greetings again Dr. Freas et al at FDA,


THIS was like closing the barn door after the mad cows got loose. not only the red cross, but the FDA has failed the public in protecting them from the TSE aka mad cow agent. TSE agent i.e. bse, base, cwd, scrapie, tme, and any sub strains thereof. we do not know if these strains will or have transmitted to humans as subclinical TSE or clinical disease, and we do not know if they have or will transmit second, third, forth passage via friendly fire i.e. multiple potential routes via medical, surgical, pharmaceutical etc.


Saturday, December 08, 2007


Transfusion Transmission of Human Prion Diseases




PRODUCT Recovered Plasma, Recall # B-1660-08 CODE Unit: 5336249 RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER Florida's Blood Centers, Inc., Orlando, FL, by electronic mail and facsimile on June 4, 2007. Firm initiated recall is complete. REASON Blood product, collected from a donor considered to be at increased risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), was distributed. VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE 1 unit DISTRIBUTION Austria and FL


END OF ENFORCEMENT REPORT FOR JULY 23, 2008


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see many more blood recalls below ;


Tuesday, October 09, 2007 nvCJD TSE BLOOD UPDATE




Saturday, December 08, 2007 Transfusion Transmission of Human Prion Diseases




Saturday, January 20, 2007 Fourth case of transfusion-associated vCJD infection in the United Kingdom




Sunday, May 1, 2011


W.H.O. T.S.E. PRION Blood products and related biologicals May 2011 http://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-tse-prion-blood-products-and.html


Wednesday, February 1, 2012


CJD and PLASMA / URINE PRODUCTS EMA Position Statements Alberto Ganan Jimenez, European Medicines Agency PDA TSE Safety Forum, 30 June 2011






TSS