The agent that transmits mad cow and related diseases may spread further in the body of an animal suffering from certain illnesses, scientists said on Thursday.
Their finding raises the question of whether measures aimed at curbing the spread of mad cow disease, or &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2001/01/01/1787.html ' target=_blank>bovine spongiform encephalopathy, are adequate, the researchers said.
Their tests on mice showed that &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/377/14717_vaccine.html ' target=_blank>prions, the protein-like fragments that transmit BSE and related diseases, can show up in organs they are not supposed to if the mouse has an inflammatory condition.
Scientists have believed that BSE-causing prions are limited to the brain, spleen, spinal cord and lymph tissue, although some tests have suggested blood and muscle tissue may also harbor the prions.
The latest study, published in the journal Science, suggests prions may also sometimes be found in the kidney, pancreas and liver, tells Reuters.
Xinhua reports, that tests on mice found that if an animal falls ill with another infection, its immune response can carry large numbers of prions, the protein-like fragments that transmit BSE and related diseases, to organs throughout its body.
Previous thinking was that tissues beyond an animal's brain, spinal cord and immune system are free of the prions.
The study suggests that even symptom-free animals may also have prions in their livers, kidneys and pancreases.
To prevent the spread of BSE, several countries affected by BSE including Britain, Canada and the United States have implemented regulations that exclude the brain, spinal cord and &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/03/14/26988_.html ' target=_blank>immune-system tissues.
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