NR AWKC
AU Meloni,D.; Rossi,L.; Nappi,R.; Ru,G.; Cavaretta,M.; Casalone,C.; Caramelli,M.; Bozzetta,E.
TI Surveillance of TSE in wild ruminants in North Western Italy
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 EPI-18
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) which has been identified in captive and free-ranging cervids more than 20 years ago in North America, where is currently in epidemic phase. The evidence of the circulation of TSEs in European population of wildlife ungulates does not exist, but the high prevalence of scrapie infection in Italy and the synchronous/alternate use of common grazing areas by domestic and wild ruminants may suggest the possibility of the spread to the latter. Furthermore, due to the strong similarities between CWD and scrapie, i.e. horizontal transmission, clinical signs and lesions, scrapie has been proposed as possible origin of CWD. Surveillance of TSE in wild ruminants is not mandatory in Europe according to 999/2001 EC Regulation, and data available to date are the results of voluntary plans. Aim of the study is the definition of the maximum prevalence of TSE infection in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) culled or found dead in NorthWestern Italy. Brain stem or spleen from animals (older then 1 year) of the above mentioned species are collected and submitted to a USDA approved CWD rapid test (Idexx Herdchek CWD Antigen Kit) and one scrapie rapid test approved according to 260/2006 EC Regulation (Bio-Rad TeSeE). Data such as species, sex, age, origin, causa mortis are collected in an ad hoc database. In case of positivity to one rapid test, the sample is submitted to confirmatory tests (immunohistochemistry and western blotting). Preliminary results on 90 samples don't support the presence of TSE. Collection of a much wider sample will allow to verify the endemic presence of TSE among free-ranging ruminants in our study area or, alternatively (in the case of negative results), to define the expected maximum prevalence of TSE in the studied population.
AD D. Meloni, R. Nappi, G. Ru, M. Cavaretta, C. Casalone, M. Caramelli, E. Bozzetta: CEA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy; L. Rossi: Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Università degli studi di Torino; E-mail: Daniela.meloni@izsto.it
SP englisch
PO Italien