MAD COW DISEASE-REVIEW

Author (s) : D.Jeevithra, T.Devi & Dr.M.Ambiga, Dr.S.Anbumalar

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Abstract :
Mad cow disease is an infectious disease caused by prions that affect the brains of cattle. The actual name of the disease is bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE), a name that refers to the changes seen in brain tissue of affected cows. Abnormal proteins called prions are found in brain tissue of diseased cattle and appear to be the particle that transmits the infection. Characteristic changes are seen in the brain of infected cattle. Infection leads to tiny holes in parts of the brain, giving the tissue a sponge-like appearance when viewed with a microscope. These so-called spongy holes cause slow deterioration within the cow's brain and eventually other symptoms develop affecting the whole body. Death follows. If humans eat diseased tissue from cattle, they may develop the human form of mad cow disease known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) or new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(nvCJD). Some researchers were reported that Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium sp, responsible for this disease. The type identified as occurring from eating diseased cattle occurs in younger people and has atypical clinical features, with prominent psychiatric or sensory symptoms at the time of clinical presentation and delayed onset of neurologic abnormalities. These neurologic abnormalities. Prions are highly resistant to heat, ultraviolet light, radiation, and disinfectants that normally kill viruses and bacteria. Prions may infect humans who eat meat from infected cattle. Even cooking meat infected with BSE does not eliminate the prions or the risk.

Keywords : Mad cow, encephalopathy, bovine, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, neurologic abnormalities, prions.

Conference Date : 30/08/2019

Pages : 353

Paper ID : 19344