Prion protein alleles showing a protective effect on the susceptibility of sheep to scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

The susceptibility of sheep to classical scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is mainly influenced by prion protein (PrP) polymorphisms A136V, R154H, and Q171R, with the ARR allele associated with significantly decreased susceptibility. Here we report the protective effect of the amino acid substitution M137T, I142K, or N176K on the ARQ allele in sheep experimentally challenged with either scrapie or BSE. Such observations suggest the existence of additional PrP alleles that significantly decrease the susceptibility of sheep to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which may have important implications for disease eradication strategies.

Veterinary medicine in disasters.

The evolution of the veterinary role in disaster management across the last 25 years is described, with particular attention to the Italian experience. Italy has a specific organisation of veterinary services which are integrated into the civil protection system as a component of the national health service. The Italian model is compared with USA and France.