Aerosol Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer
Published ahead of print 21 November 2012, doi: 10.1128/JVI.02852-12 J. Virol. February 2013 vol. 87 no. 3 1890-1892
ABSTRACT
While the facile transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains incompletely elucidated, studies in rodents suggest that exposure of the respiratory mucosa may be an efficient pathway. The present study was designed to address this question in the native cervid host. Here, we demonstrate aerosol transmission of CWD to deer with a prion dose >20-fold lower than that used in previous oral inoculations. Inhalation of prions may facilitate transmission of CWD and, perhaps, other prion infections.
FOOTNOTES
Address correspondence to Edward A. Hoover,
Published ahead of print 21 November 2012
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