Scrapie
Scrapie
Scrapie (pronounced: /ˈskreɪpi/) is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the nervous systems of sheep and goats. It is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which are related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow disease") and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans.
Etymology
The term "scrapie" derives from the Norwegian word skraper, meaning "to scrape," due to the intense itching that is a common symptom of the disease. The disease was first recorded in sheep in 1732.
Symptoms
Scrapie is characterized by symptoms such as intense itching and scratching, trembling, and lack of coordination. Other symptoms may include weight loss despite a normal appetite, changes in behavior and personality, and difficulty walking or standing.
Transmission
Scrapie is believed to be caused by a type of protein called a prion. Prions are abnormal, pathogenic agents that are transmissible and are able to induce abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins that are found most abundantly in the brain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of scrapie is usually based on the presence of clinical signs, particularly itching and scratching, and can be confirmed by post-mortem examination of the brain.
Treatment and Control
There is currently no cure for scrapie. Control measures include genetic selection for resistance to the disease, and slaughtering of animals suspected to be infected.
See Also
- Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Prion
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Scrapie
- Wikipedia's article - Scrapie
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski