NR AWFB
AU Franscini,N.; El Gedaily,A.E.; Matthey,U.; Franitza,S.; Bürkle,A.; Groschup,M.H.; Braun,U.; Zahn,R.
TI Prion protein in milk and blood
QU International Conference - Prion 2006: Strategies, advances and trends towards protection of society - 3.10.-6.10.2006, Torino, Italy, Lingotto Conference Centre - Poster sessions DIA-14
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB The low concentration of the proteinaceous agent in body fluids and its long incubation time complicate epidemiologic analysis and estimation of spreading and thus the risk of human infection. We have developed an adsorption matrix, PrioTrapTM, which binds with high affinity and specificity to prion protein. The exceptional binding properties of PrioTrapTM result from multiple binding motives that recognize different prion protein epitopes, allowing quantitative enrichment of extreme low quantity of prion proteins in biological fluid, like milk or blood. We show that prion protein (PrPc) - the precursor of prions (PrPsc) - is present in fresh milk from humans, cows, sheep, and goats. The absolute amount of PrPc differs between the species. PrPc is also found in homogenised and pasteurised off-the-shelf milk, and even ultra-high temperature treatment only partially diminishes endogenous PrPc concentration. In view of a recent study showing evidence of prion replication occurring in the mammary gland of scrapie infected sheep suffering from mastitis, the appearance of PrPc in milk implies the possibility that milk of TSE-infected animals serves as a source for PrPsc. These findings may be relevant for assessing the health risk associated with consumption of milk and milk-derived products. There is also increasing evidence that prions are present in body fluids and that prion infection by blood transmission is possible. As a component of a BSE Test for Live Cattle PrioTrapTM is able to diagnose a TSE infection in animals before appearance of clinical symptoms. In this regard we will report on a field study with 1200 post mortem confirmed positive and negative cattle.
AD N. Franscini, A. El Gedaily, U. Matthey, S. Franitza, R. Zahn: alicon AG, Wagistrasse 23, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland; A. Bürkle: Lehrstuhl Molekulare Toxikologie, Fach X911, University of Konstanz, Jacob Burckardt Strasse 31, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany; M. Groschup: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit, D-17493 Greifswald, Germany; U. Braun: Departement für Nutztiere, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. E-mail: info@alicon.ch
SP englisch
PO Italien