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chronic wasting disease

Description

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Description

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a serious and fatal neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the Cervidae family [1]. It is caused by prions, which are abnormal proteins that misfold and accumulate in the brain and nervous system of infected animals [2].

Key Characteristics:

  • Fatal: CWD is always fatal to affected animals [3].
  • Neurological: The disease affects the nervous system, causing degeneration of nerve cells and leading to a range of symptoms [4].
  • Transmissible: CWD can be transmitted from one animal to another through contact with infected tissues or contaminated environments [5].

Symptoms:

  • Weight loss
  • Decreased coordination and movement
  • Changes in behavior, such as increased activity at night
  • Loss of body condition and muscle mass

Important Notes:

  • There is no vaccine or treatment for CWD [6].
  • The disease can be present in wild and captive deer populations [7].

References:

[1] May 13, 2024 — Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a serious disease in animals such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. Since first reported in the United ...

[2] Apr 17, 2024 — Chronic wasting disease is a type of prion disease. Prions are proteins that are normally found in the body. In rare cases, the proteins misfold ...

[3] Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer ...

[4] Apr 17, 2024 — Chronic wasting disease is a type of prion disease. Prions are proteins that are normally found in the body. In rare cases, the proteins misfold ...

[5] Sep 5, 2024 — Chronic wasting disease is a deadly, neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the Cervidae family.

[6] victims of disease. ... ❖ Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease which is a unique family of diseases ... ❖ There is no vaccine or treatment for CWD.

[7] What is Chronic Wasting Disease? ... Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a neurodegenerative disease, which is a disorder that destroys nerve cells, particularly in ...

Additional Characteristics

  • Chronic wasting disease (CWD)
  • a serious and fatal neurological illness
  • affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the Cervidae family
  • caused by prions, which are abnormal proteins that misfold and accumulate in the brain and nervous system of infected animals
  • always fatal to affected animals
  • affects the nervous system, causing degeneration of nerve cells and leading to a range of symptoms
  • can be transmitted from one animal to another through contact with infected tissues or contaminated environments
  • no vaccine or treatment for CWD
  • the disease can be present in wild and captive deer populations

Signs and Symptoms

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Signs and Symptoms

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, moose, and other cervids. The signs and symptoms of CWD can be divided into two main categories: behavioral changes and physical symptoms.

Behavioral Changes:

  • Decreased social interaction [1]
  • Loss of coordination [2]
  • Listlessness or appearing "out of it" [2]
  • Repetitive walking pattern [7]

These behavioral changes are often one of the first signs that a deer is infected with CWD. As the disease progresses, these behaviors can become more pronounced and may be accompanied by physical symptoms.

Physical Symptoms:

  • Weight Loss: Progressive weight loss is one of the most obvious signs of CWD [1]. Deer with CWD are often very thin.
  • Excessive Salivation (Drooling): Excessive salivation is a common symptom of CWD in deer [3, 4, 6].
  • Loss of Muscle Coordination: Deer with CWD may stumble or have difficulty walking due to loss of muscle coordination [2, 5].
  • Difficulty Swallowing: Difficulty swallowing can also be a symptom of CWD in infected animals [3].
  • Excessive Thirst: Excessive thirst is another common symptom of CWD in deer [4, 6].

Other Symptoms:

  • Unusual or sluggish behavior [6]
  • Loss of bodily functions [6]
  • Weight loss [1, 5]
  • Frequent urination [6]

It's essential to note that these symptoms can vary depending on the individual animal and the stage of the disease. If you suspect that a deer is infected with CWD, it's crucial to contact a wildlife expert or a veterinarian for proper evaluation and guidance.

References: [1] - Context result 1 [2] - Context results 2 and 5 [3] - Context result 3 [4] - Context result 4 [5] - Context result 5 [6] - Context result 6 [7] - Context result 7

Additional Symptoms

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) affecting deer, and diagnostic tests play a crucial role in its management. Here are the key points about diagnostic tests for CWD:

  • Official Testing: Official CWD tests are performed only at APHIS-approved university, State, or Federal veterinary diagnostic laboratories [1].
  • Antemortem Tests: Antemortem rectal biopsy test appears promising but may have limited applicability due to the number of positive animals in the early stages of the disease that may not be detected [1]. This test involves taking a biopsy from the rectal wall.
  • Postmortem Tests: Postmortem tests involve examining brain and/or lymph nodes for definitive diagnosis. The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) employs two advanced diagnostic methods to test for CWD: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical staining [8].
  • Approved Laboratories: There are 31 laboratories approved for CWD testing, with 11 approved for ELISA and 8 approved for immunohistochemical staining [7].
  • Direct vs. Indirect Identification Methods: Diagnostic tests can be classified into direct and indirect identification methods. Direct diagnostic techniques detect/identify the presence of pathogens, while indirect methods detect immunological cellular or antibody response of the animal host [10].

Emerging Diagnostic Techniques

Newer diagnostic techniques are being developed to improve the detection of CWD in live animals. These include:

  • Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay: This assay has the potential to enable more effective management of CWD by detecting the disease in live animals [13].
  • Improved amplification tests: Improved amplification tests can help detect CWD in saliva, urine, and feces before clinical signs appear [5].

References

[1] The rectal biopsy test, while not yet approved for routine regulatory testing, appears promising but may have limited applicability due the number of positive animals in the early stages of the disease that may not be detected. [2] Official CWD tests are performed only at APHIS-approved university, State, or Federal veterinary diagnostic laboratories. [3] The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) collaborates closely with state and federal agencies in surveillance and testing efforts against Chronic Wasting Disease. [4] Detection of abnormal prion protein, the suspected causative agent of chronic wasting disease, in either antemortem samples (biopsies of retropharyngeal lymph node, tonsil, or rectal wall), or postmortem samples (retropharyngeal lymph node or obex) by immunohistochemical staining. [5] Improved amplification tests can help detect chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the saliva, urine, and feces of white-tailed (WTD) before clinical signs appear. [7] There are 31 laboratories approved for CWD testing, with 11 approved for ELISA and 8 approved for immunohistochemical staining. [8] The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) employs two advanced diagnostic methods to test for CWD: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical staining. [10] Diagnostic tests can be classified into direct and indirect identification methods. Direct diagnostic techniques detect/identify the presence of pathogens, while indirect methods detect immunological cellular or antibody response of the animal host. [13] Sensitive and specific antemortem diagnostic tests are a prerequisite for effective management of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Paired with readily accessible samples that accurately reflect CWD status, the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to enable more effect …

Treatment

Current Status of Drug Treatment for Chronic Wasting Disease

Unfortunately, there are currently no pharmacologic treatments that can halt or even slow the progress of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Despite ongoing research and efforts to find effective treatments, none have been proven to be successful in treating this neurodegenerative disease.

  • According to a study published by D. Berry in 2015 [1], there are currently no pharmacologic treatments that can treat CWD.
  • Another study by S. Hannaoui in 2020 [2] suggests that cellulose ether treatment may generate chronic wasting disease prions with reduced protease resistance and delayed disease progression, but this is not a viable treatment option for the disease.

Potential Candidates

However, some research has identified potential candidates that may be effective in treating CWD. For example, a study by D. Berry in 2015 [1] suggests that IND24 may be a viable candidate for treating CWD in infected captive cervid populations.

  • It's worth noting that while these potential candidates show promise, they are still in the early stages of research and have not been proven to be effective in treating CWD.
  • Management of chronic wasting disease has largely proven ineffective, with no treatment or vaccine available [5].

Current Research

Research is ongoing to find effective treatments for CWD. However, until more promising candidates emerge, there are currently no pharmacologic treatments that can treat this neurodegenerative disease.

References:

[1] D Berry (2015) - There are currently no pharmacologic treatments that halt or even slow the progress of any neurodegenerative disease. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the only ... [2] S Hannaoui (2020) - Cellulose ether treatment in vivo generates chronic wasting disease prions with reduced protease resistance and delayed disease progression · Authors. [5] Oct 21, 2021 — Treatment. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for CWD1. Management. Management of chronic wasting disease has largely proven ...

Recommended Medications

  • There are currently no pharmacologic treatments that can halt or even slow the progress of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
  • IND24 may be a viable candidate for treating CWD in infected captive cervid populations.
  • cellulose ether treatment may generate chronic wasting disease prions with reduced protease resistance and delayed disease progression
  • There are currently no pharmacologic treatments that can treat this neurodegenerative disease.

💊 Drug information is sourced from ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest) database. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication. Click on any medication name for detailed information.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease that affects cervid species, including white-tailed deer. Diagnosing CWD can be challenging due to its subtle and nonspecific clinical signs. Here are some conditions that may be considered in the differential diagnosis of CWD:

  • Brain abscesses: A brain abscess is a collection of pus in the brain tissue, which can cause symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, and changes in behavior [6].
  • Traumatic injuries: Traumatic injuries to the head or neck can cause similar symptoms to CWD, including lethargy, weight loss, and changes in behavior [3].
  • Meningitis: Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, and stiff neck [6].
  • Encephalitis: Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue itself, which can cause symptoms such as lethargy, confusion, and seizures [6].
  • Rabies: Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system, causing symptoms such as aggression, fearfulness, and paralysis [6].

It's worth noting that definitive diagnosis of CWD requires immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing of the obex area of the brain stem or the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes [2]. Clinical signs of CWD are remarkably subtle and nonspecific, characterized by lethargy, weight loss, flaccid hypotonic facial muscles, polydipsia/polyuria, and changes in behavior [5].

References:

[1] - Not applicable (this is the first point in the context)

[2] - Context point 2

[3] - Context point 7

[5] - Context point 5

[6] - Context points 6

Additional Differential Diagnoses

Additional Information

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