Spongiform encephalopathy of large horned cattle

Spongiform encephalopathy of large horned cattle is a zoonotic slow infection, characterized by damage to cells of the gray matter of the brain. Refers to prion diseases. Prion is a low-molecular protein with infectious properties. It passes through bacterial filters, is not cultivated on nutrient media, is destroyed by the action of phenol and ether, when heated to 80 ° C.

The source of infectious agents is cattle, among which epidemics (England) and sporadic cases are observed; Sick and other animals, such as cats. The sick person is not contagious. Infection of a person occurs when eating infected brains, meat, internal organs of cattle that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment. It is not excluded that the pathogen gets through the microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes when cooking food from contaminated meat, cutting carcasses of infected animals. The susceptibility of a person has not been studied, it is believed that the disease develops only in genetically predisposed individuals.

The incubation period is from 5 to 35 years. The disease is characterized by increasing weakness, dementia, impaired motor functions, resulting in 6-12 months to death. Effective treatments have not been developed.

Prevention is limited to the refusal to eat meat and meat products from disadvantaged areas, observe personal hygiene and safety rules when caring for animals and contacting meat (wearing overalls, using gloves).