Suspected vertical transmission of BSE

Vertical Transmission of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Prions Evaluated in a Transgenic Mouse Model

“…With regard to BSE in cattle, previous fieldwork studies suggested that the disease may be passed from cow to calf (29,30). However, there has been controversy and uncertainties regarding whether or not maternal transmission has implications in the prevalence of this disease similar to those that it has for sheep scrapie (9, 10).…”

PrPSc accumulation in placentas of ewes exposed to natural scrapie: influence of foetal PrP genotype and effect on ewe-to-lamb transmission

“…A case control study in BSE-affected cattle has suggested that maternal transmission may occur at low levels. The existence of postnatal transmission was not evaluated (Wilesmith et al, 1994(Wilesmith et al, , 1997 but no infectivity was detected in the placentas of clinically BSE-affected cows (Wrathall, 1997). Concerning human CJD (sporadic and variant), transmission from mother O. Andre!…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on biological hazards (BIOHAZ) on the scientific justification for proposing amendments to the United Kingdom Date Based Export Scheme (DBES) and to the Over Thirty Months (OTM) rule

“…Meanwhile, BSE surveillance has continuously improved Annex to The EFSA Journal (2004) and rapid testing programs have been introduced, accounting for part of the more recently detected BARB cases and UK's modelling has been revisited. Moreover, it became obvious that the route of infection of the BARB BSE cases has a high probability though not a conclusive evidence to be feed-borne (Wilesmith et al 1994Donnelly et al, 1997a and b;Gore et al, 1997;Curnow et al, 1997;Donnelly 1998). In its opinion of 10-11 April 2003 the SSC considered that the then available data did not change its earlier risk assessment with regard to the UK DBES.…”