Award details

Pathogenesis of scrapie in sheep

Reference	BS309722
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Nora Hunter
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	Neuropathogenesis Unit
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,513,176
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	20/10/1997
End date	20/10/2001
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Attempts to control and eradicate scrapie are hampered by a lack of understanding of the aetiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of the disease, particularly in relation to strains of agent and variation in PrP genotype. With the knowledge of the influence of the ovine PrP gene on the incidence of natural and experimental scrapie and the power of current biomathematical approaches to the study of infectious diseases, there is tremendous scientific opportunity to undertake detailed and integrated epidemiological and pathogenetic studies to gain a full insight into this increasingly important disease of sheep. The specific objectives of this research programme are:1) to describe in detail the pathogenesis of natural scrapie in NPU Cheviot sheep of defined genotypes to establish the role of genotype in determining pathogenesis and the potential for establishing a carrier state2) to study the pathogenesis of experimental SSBP/1 and other scrapie strains in scrapie-free New Zealand sheep carrying scrapie susceptible and non-susceptible genotypes3) to establish whether there is any age related differential susceptibility to infection and/or differences in pathogenesis4) to investigate parameters influencing the probability of maternal transmission, including time of birth in relation to stage of incubation, placental exposure and transmission via colostrum and/or milk5) to investigate mechanisms of horizontal transmission, including animal to animal contact or environmental contamination and exposure.(This programme interacts closely with 201/TSE09857, Epidemiology of scrapie in sheep).

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	Biology of Spongiform Encephalopathies - Phase 3 (BS3) [1996-1997]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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