Published , Modified Abstract on No Chronic Wasting Disease Transmissibility in Macaques Original source
No Chronic Wasting Disease Transmissibility in Macaques
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion and is similar to mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Recently, researchers conducted a study to determine if CWD could be transmitted to macaques, a type of monkey. The results of the study showed that there was no transmissibility of CWD in macaques. This article will discuss the details of the study and its implications for the future.
What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It is characterized by weight loss, behavioral changes, and neurological symptoms such as tremors and difficulty walking. The disease is always fatal and there is currently no cure or treatment for it.
The Study
The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The researchers infected two groups of macaques with CWD: one group was infected orally and the other was infected intracerebrally. The macaques were monitored for up to 5 years for any signs of CWD.
Results
The results of the study showed that none of the macaques developed CWD or any other prion disease. This indicates that CWD is not transmissible to macaques, at least under these experimental conditions.
Implications
The results of this study have important implications for both animal and human health. First, it suggests that macaques are not susceptible to CWD, which means they could be used as a model for studying other prion diseases. Second, it provides reassurance that CWD is not likely to be transmitted to humans who consume deer, elk, or moose meat. However, it is important to note that there is still a lot we don't know about prion diseases and their transmissibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study conducted by NIAID researchers showed that CWD is not transmissible to macaques. This has important implications for both animal and human health and provides reassurance that CWD is not likely to be transmitted to humans who consume deer, elk, or moose meat. However, more research is needed to fully understand prion diseases and their transmissibility.
FAQs
1. What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It is characterized by weight loss, behavioral changes, and neurological symptoms such as tremors and difficulty walking.
2. Is CWD transmissible to humans?
There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans who consume deer, elk, or moose meat. However, it is important to handle and cook the meat properly to reduce the risk of other foodborne illnesses.
3. What are prion diseases?
Prion diseases are a group of rare neurological diseases caused by abnormal proteins called prions. They include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, mad cow disease in cattle, and Chronic Wasting Disease in deer, elk, and moose.
4. Can macaques be used as a model for studying prion diseases?
Yes, the results of the study conducted by NIAID researchers suggest that macaques are not susceptible to CWD and could be used as a model for studying other prion diseases.
5. Is there a cure for CWD?
There is currently no cure or treatment for CWD. The disease is always fatal.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.