Experimental oral transmission of chronic wasting disease to sika deer ().

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects a broad array of cervid species and continues to be detected in an expanding geographic range. Initially introduced into the Republic of Korea through the importation of CWD-infected elk (), additional cases of CWD were subsequently detected in farmed Korean elk and sika deer (). Wild and farmed sika deer are found in many regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, although natural transmission to this species has not been detected outside of the Republic of Korea.

A novel approach for scrapie-associated prion (PrP) detection in blood using the competitive affinity of an aggregate-specific antibody and streptavidin to PrP.

Scrapie is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting sheep and goats, originating from exposure to disease-associated prions (PrP). An ante-mortem screening test that can detect native PrP in body fluids remains unavailable due to insufficient sensitivity of current detection methods that involve proteinase or denaturation treatments. We adopted an approach to detect PrP in whole blood using a simple proteinase- and denaturation-independent immunoassay, based on the competitive affinity of an aggregate-specific monoclonal antibody and streptavidin to PrP.

Experimental oral transmission of chronic wasting disease to reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids, remains prevalent in North American elk, white-tailed deer and mule deer. A natural case of CWD in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) has not been reported despite potential habitat overlap with CWD-infected deer or elk herds. This study investigates the experimental transmission of CWD from elk or white-tailed deer to reindeer by the oral route of inoculation.