Project Number: 3625-32000-073-02
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Sep 30, 2002
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
Determine whether the prion diseases of cervids, known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), are caused by a single strain of the transmissible agent.

Approach:
Samples of brain tissue from the 3 species of cervids affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD) will be collected from clinical cases in the field. The donor tissues, from mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer, will be used to inoculate special strains of laboratory mice that have been developed for identification of scrapie strains in sheep and for differentiation of scrapie from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In addition, these same sources of prion infectivity will be compared for their transmissibility to cattle, sheep, and white-tailed deer.

Project Team

Richt, Juergen Moira Bruce - Senior Scientist 515-663-7190

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Animal Health (103)