Scientists have made a discovery that may allow accurate BSE tests on live animals.
Researchers found that changes in the levels of a protein in cattle urine can indicate the presence of BSE with 100 percent accuracy in a small sample.
It was also determined that changes in the relative abundance of a set of proteins corresponded with advancement of the disease.
The possible breakthrough in the fight against BSE was discovered as part of a collaborative effort involving the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s BSE Reference Laboratories, the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health in Germany and the University of Manitoba.
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“We are hopeful that at some point in the future the knowledge gained from this study will make it possible to test live cattle,” said David Knox, scientist and lead researcher on the study that is to be published in Proteome Science.
“It also may be possible to develop similar tests for other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in other species, including humans,” he said in a news release from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Canada has reported 14 BSE-infected cows since May 2003. Apart from a diagnosis based on clinical symptoms, a live BSE test has so far been elusive. Testing after death of the animal is the only reliable option now.
Approximately 30 human cases of classical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which are not linked to beef consumption, are reported every year in Canada. A urine test could assist doctors in providing potential diagnoses for people experiencing dementia of unknown cause.
The scientists analyzed the proteins in urine samples taken from four infected and four healthy cows of the same age over the course of the disease.
“This is an important discovery and we are hopeful that it will eventually lead to a useful diagnostic test that will simplify surveillance and reduce costs,” said Stefanie Czub, manager of the CFIA’s virology section and quality assurance, in a news release.
