Understanding the transmission of scrapie agents in white-tailed deer is crucial for managing potential disease outbreaks.
- Prion diseases result from misfolding of a host’s prion protein, causing accumulation of PrPSc and neurodegeneration in mammals.
- Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids and has spread across North America and internationally.
- White-tailed deer can transmit the WTD scrapie agent oronasally, leading to clinical signs and PrPSc accumulation in tissues.
- Differences in molecular profile, PrPSc accumulation, and incubation periods exist between WTD scrapie and CWD in white-tailed deer.
- WTD scrapie has not been detected in wild or farmed cervids, but potential zoonotic transmission should be considered in mitigation efforts.
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Infectious Diseases, Public Health & Prevention