Award details

Pathogenesis studies of experimental BSE in sheep 2

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001128
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Nora Hunter
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	295,153
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/01/2004
End date	31/03/2007
Duration	39 months

Abstract

This project is a continuation and completion of an investigation into the tissue distribution of BSE infectivity in experimentally challenged sheep. Genetically selected sheep that are resistant to natural scrapie but susceptible to BSE have been challenged by the oral route. Groups of sheep have been sacrificed after 3, 6, 9 or 12 months or when showing clinical signs of BSE. A range of tissues has been collected and levels of infectivity have been estimated in selected tissues from the 6 month and clinical groups by mouse bioassay. In this project it is planned to bioassay tissues from the 3, 9 and 12 month cull groups. The work will lead to an understanding of BSE pathogenesis in sheep and indicate what tissues contain high levels of infectivity and when during the disease process they become infected. This information is essential to assess possible risks to humans and farmed animals, should BSE have entered the national sheep flock. The study is also relevant to preclinical diagnosis, as it will indicate which tissues are likely to be informative in tests for surrogate infection markers.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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