NR AOYI
AU Rodger,J.M.; Somerville,R.A.
TI Persistence of TSEs in the Environment
QU International Conference - Prion diseases: from basic research to intervention concepts - TSE-Forum, 08.10.-10.10.2003, Gasteig, München - Poster session - IV-17
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB There are increasing concerns about the consequences arising from the disposal of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infected materials into the environment. Potential sources of environmental contamination include buried TSE-infected carcasses, rendering products, incinerator ash, and liquid and solid waste from medical, veterinary and industrial procedures. The natural environment is a complex system with many parameters that may have varying effects on the behaviour of TSEs in soil. The fate of TSE infectivity in the environment is not known although it is assumed that it will have high survival properties. Survival and migration of TSE infectivity will depend on the interaction of TSE infectivity with soil surfaces and components, the effect of soil microorganisms and invertebrates. Experiments to assess the behaviour of TSE infectivity in soil are being conducted. A series of field experiments, designed to simulate the natural environment, are complemented by laboratory experiments to analyse the parameters involved. The field lysimeter-based work simulates the deposition of a bolus of infectivity and its subsequent survival and movement over time. A series of TSE-spiked bovine heads are buried to simulate the survival of infectivity within a carcass. They will be serially exhumed over six years and analysed for TSE infectivity. Extraction and concentration methods of PrP and infectivity from soil and rainwater are being developed and evaluated to enable sensitive analysis of samples. Ultimately the development of methods for destroying TSE infectivity will be desirable, possibly using degradative microorganisms in enclosed systems (composting, anaerobic digesters) or in the natural environment.
AD J.M. Rodger, R.A. Somerville, Institute for Animal Health, UK
SP englisch
PO Deutschland