Identification of the first case of atypical scrapie in Japan

J Vet Med Sci. 2017 Jan 10;78(12):1915-1919. doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0379. Epub 2016 Sep 11.

Abstract

A Corriedale ewe was confirmed as the first atypical scrapie case during an active surveillance program for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in small ruminants in Japan. The animal was homozygous for the AF141RQ haplotype of PRNP. The animal showed clinical neurological signs possibly due to listeriosis before culling. Western blot analysis showed an unusual multiple banded pattern with a low-molecular fragment at ~7 kDa. Histopathology revealed suppurative meningoencephalitis caused by listeriosis in the brainstem. Fine granular to globular immunostaining of disease-associated prion proteins was mainly detected in the neuropil of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve and in the white matter of the spinocerebellar tract. Based on these results, this case was conclusively diagnosed as atypical scrapie with encephalitic listeriosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coinfection / veterinary
  • Female
  • Haplotypes
  • Japan
  • Meningitis, Listeria / pathology
  • Meningitis, Listeria / veterinary*
  • Meningoencephalitis / pathology
  • Meningoencephalitis / veterinary*
  • Prions / genetics*
  • Scrapie / complications*
  • Scrapie / pathology
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Prions