The Near Future of BSE,CJD,Prion Disease,Meat Hygiene and Near Future of Bi-Digital O-Ring Test

Abstract

In recent years, there have been changes in the environment surrounding our lives and invasion of pathogens across species barriers. For example, pathogenic, hemorrhagic E. coli (O-157) infection, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), pneumonia caused by SARS, and avian influenza (type H₅N₂), among others, have occurred and subsided in fearful succession.

This international symposium focuses on BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) as the main subject, whose various influences are inestimable in their size and damage.

Mutated prion proteins are said to be the cause of the disease. There are many strains of such prion proteins, and they vary in how they infect animals and what kind of animals they may be transmitted to. In addition, there are types with long incubation periods following infection until disease onset as well as those whose symptoms manifest themselves after relatively short periods.

It has mainly been pointed out that BSE is transmitted orally, and there have been many responses in terms of meat hygiene.

In order to resolve these problems, food safety is being sought by providing traceability from production through consumption processes and by HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point).

It is said that the major cause of BSE’s invasion across species barriers is cross-infection, namely, failure in rendering processes, which led to the prohibition on incorporation of meat and bone meal in feed. But does this represent the entire problem?

Although research institutions in many countries are working hard on preventive measures against BSE and CJD, if these diseases spread to different domestic animal species, wild animals, fish and marine mammals, the resolution of such situation would be extremely difficult.

Currently, cattle carcasses are subject to testing by limiting target organs where the prions accumulate (the brain, spinal cord, distal ileum, eyeballs, spleen, etc.).

If it is recognized that Bi-Digital O-Ring Test can diagnose BSE and CJD in vivo, it is likely that the test will greatly contribute to the eradication of these diseases and will also lead to food safety and security. For this purpose, reference materials of these diseases must be established and an appropriate environment must be created in the diagnostic setting.