NR ALCB
AU Spraker,T.R.; Miller,M.W.; Williams,E.S.; Getzy,D.M.; Adrian,W.J.; Schoonveld,G.G.; Spowart,R.A.; O'Rourke,K.I.; Miller,J.M.; Merz,P.A.
TI Spongiform encephalopathy in free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) in northcentral Colorado
QU Journal of Wildlife Diseases 1997 Jan; 33(1): 1-6
IA http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/content/abstract/33/1/1
PT journal article
AB Between March 1981 and June 1995, a neurological disease characterized histologically by spongiform encephalopathy was diagnosed in 49 free-ranging cervids from northcentral Colorado (USA). Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the primary species affected and accounted for 41 (84%) of the 49 cases, but six Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were also affected. Clinical signs included emaciation, excessive salivation, behavioral changes, ataxia, and weakness. Emaciation with total loss of subcutaneous and abdominal adipose tissue and serous atrophy of remaining fat depots were the only consistent gross findings. Spongiform encephalopathy characterized by microcavitation of gray matter, intraneuronal vacuolation and neuronal degeneration was observed microscopically in all cases. Scrapie-associated prion protein or an antigenically indistinguishable protein was demonstrated in brains from 26 affected animals, 10 using an immunohistochemical staining procedure, nine using electron microscopy, and seven using Western blot. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions and ancillary test findings in affected deer and elk were indistinguishable from those reported in chronic wasting disease of captive cervids. Prevalence estimates, transmissibility, host range, distribution, origins, and management implications of spongiform encephalopathy in free-ranging deer and elk remain undetermined.
IN Zwischen März 1981 und Juni 1995 wurde bei 49 freilebenden Hirschartigen in Nordzentral-Colorado histopathologisch eine spongiforme Enzephalopathie diagnostiziert. Dabei handelte es sich um 41 Großohrhirsche (Odocoileus hemionus), 6 Rocky Mountain Rothirsche (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) und 2 Weißwedelhirsche (Odocoileus virginianus). Alle zeigten eine starke Ausmergelung mit dem totalen Verlust des Unterhaut und Bauchfettes und eine starken Verminderung ihrer restlichen Fettreserven. Sie waren offensichtlich wie die von Gehegen bekannten Fälle an der chronischen Auszehrung gestorben.
MH Adipose Tissue/pathology; Age Distribution; Animal; Atrophy; Brain Chemistry; Central Nervous System/pathology; Colorado/epidemiology; *Deer; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Male; PrP 27-30 Protein/analysis; PrPsc Proteins/analysis; Prevalence; Prion Diseases/epidemiology/pathology/*veterinary; Prions/analysis; Seasons; Sex Distribution; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
AD Colorado State Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA
SP englisch
PO USA