A new study found that chronic wasting disease can sometimes spread silently, with infectious prions present even in animals that show no symptoms. While there is no confirmed human risk, researchers say the disease’s ability to evolve and spread across species warrants close attention. Scientists uncovered a hidden side of chronic wasting disease: infectious prions may spread unnoticed, raising new questions as the fatal wildlife disease continues to expand.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is best known as a disease affecting wildlife such as deer and elk. However, a new study from researchers at the University of Calgary and their international collaborators examined whether the disease could potentially move beyond cervid (hooved, plant-eating) animals and infect other species. There has never been a confirmed case of CWD in people. Even so, scientists say the new findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research as the disease continues to spread into new areas. CWD is a fatal neurological disease caused by infectious proteins called prions. It is becoming increasingly widespread across North America, including expanding regions of Alberta.
Study Examines Cross-Species Transmission Potential
In research published in Science Advances, investigators used controlled laboratory experiments to study the zoonotic potential of CWD. Most of the animals involved did not develop symptoms. However, researchers detected small amounts of infectious prions in their tissues. When samples from those animals were transferred to other species, the recipients developed signs of CWD. “These findings show that even without obvious (clinical signs), infectious prions can still be present and transmissible,” says Dr. Samia Hannaoui, PhD, researcher and assistant professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), and first author on the study.
Source: ScienceDaily.com
