Amplified immunohistochemical detection of PrPsc in animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies using streptomycin.

Due to its sensitivity, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) is used to study experimental and natural cases of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans or scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in animals. The limits of detection are particularly critical when PrPsc IHC is used for diagnostic purposes. In this article, we describe for the first time the use of streptomycin sulfate in IHC, providing a novel original and easy way to amplify specifically PrPsc immunohistochemical detection in natural cases of BSE and scrapie, as well as in experimental TSEs in mice models using two different PrP antibodies.

An alternative pretreatment procedure in animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies diagnosis using PrPsc immunohistochemistry.

Because of its sensitivity, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) is used more often in the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), such as scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). PrPsc IHC requires a combination of pretreatments (chemical, heating, and enzymatic). The method of application may depend on the anti-prion antibody considered.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy diagnosis using PrPsc immunohistochemistry on fixed but previously frozen brain samples.

The histological diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), such as scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), relies on identification in the brain of spongiosis, gliosis, and neuron loss without inflammatory lesions. Because of its sensitivity, immunohistochemistry of abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) is of great help in this diagnosis and can be used on its own or complementary to the biochemical detection of PrPsc. However, in some cases no formalin-fixed material is available, rendering its use as a complementary method impossible.