Psychiatria pre prax 1/2001
Facts and questiones about bovinious spongiform encephalopathy
A survey is given of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which was found in cattle in Great Britain in 1985 and since then has continuously spread through several countries in Europe. Signs of this disease, caused by small infectious particles - prions, are changes in animal behavior, disturbances in coordination of movement and always results in death of an animal. There is vacuolar degeneration in nerve cells, which is significant in diagnosis. A possible danger for humans is being considered.
Keywords: spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, CJD, prion, mad cow disease, vacuolar degeneration of neurons.
