Madcow Disease Disease Mad cow disease is a fatal disease of the brain that is incurable and affects mainly cattle and other animals like sheep and goat (Wisniewski, 2005). It is the common name for bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE because the disease affects the nervous system of the cow making it act strangely and lose control to do normal things like walking. The disease is mainly contracted by animals. However, there is some evidence between BSE and a rare condition of the brain that affects humans known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) (Wisniewski, 2005). Individuals who eat beef prepared from cows suffering from BSE are at increased risk of developing madcow disease. Until 2009, only about 219 cases of the disease have been reported worldwide, most of which have occurred in Britain. The first case of BSE was detected in United States in December 2003 (Wisniewski, 2005). The previous occurrence in the world was seen in 1980s when there was was an epidemic in Great Britain and other European countries. People living in areas affected by the epidemic are not allowed to donate blood or organs. The first infections in cattle probably occurred in 1970s (CDC, 2011). According to CDC (2011), ” there exists strong epidemiologic and laboratory evidence for a causal association between a new human prion disease called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) that was first reported from the United Kingdom in 1996 and the BSE outbreak in cattle. The interval between the most likely period for the initial extended exposure of the population to potentially BSE-contaminated food (1984-1986) and the onset of initial variant CJD cases (1994-1996) is consistent with known incubation periods for the human forms of prion disease.” Causative agent The main causative agent for vCJD is an abnormal protein known as prion. People suffering from vCJD a sponge like appearing brain due to death of cells (Aucouturier et al, 2000). Gradual death of cells in the brain makes people lose their control both physically and mentally. The human form of madcow disease is known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) or new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD). The classical disease, CJD was earlier identified among elderly people (Wisniewski, 2005). Prions are neither viruses nor bacteria, they are actually infectious proteins (CDC, 2011). Transmission Madcow disease is transmitted from animals to human through ingestion of beef. Human to human transmission is rare and can occur through cannabalism and tissue transplantation. Transmission of infection can occur even in preclinical stage (WHO, 2002). Manifestations The incubation period of the disease is long and lasts for several years. Symptoms begin to appear only when critical levels have reached in the brain. Some early symptoms include dementia, depression and difficulty in walking. These symptoms progress rapidly and gradually. Other important early symptoms include trouble sleeping, anxiety, worsening memory, withdrawal, unsteady gait and muscle spasms. The clinical presentation is atypical. Sensory and psychiatric symptoms are prominent and neurological abnormalities are dementia, ataxia and diffusely abnormal electroencephalogram that is non-diagnostic (Wisniewski, 2005). Pathology The prions settle in spinal cord, brain, retina and other nervous tissues of animals and humans. rarely, they can also be found in spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes. In some cases, low levels of prions can be found in blood too. Prions eat the tissue of the brain and create sponge like holes in several parts of the brain. These holes cause slow deterioration and contribute to loss of control symptoms of the cattle and the humans. This is eventually followed by death. The nature of prion is not well understood. The most accepted theory is that prion is a modified form of normal protein (CDC, 2011). Treatment and prevention As of now, there is no treatment or vaccine for prion diseases, including madcow disease. There is no specific diagnostic test for madcow disease. However, tests need to be performed because other differential diagnoses need to be ruled out. These include complete blood picture, liver function tests, blood culture, thyroid function tests, blood levels for folate and vitamin B-12, tests for sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV. Important imaging studies include PET scan, MRI and EEG. Spinal tap may be done to rule out meningitis. Brain biopsy is rarely done and does not have much role (Wisniewski, 2005). Main treatment is supportive. Drugs which affect memory and cause confusion must be stopped. Death is mandatory and can occur in 8 months after onset of symptoms (Wisniewski, 2005). Main prevention strategy is to resort to vegetarian diet. A non-vegetarian may avoid beef products. Blood transfusion and organ donation in affected areas must be avoided. Milk and milk products however, do not seem to transmit the disease (Wisniewski, 2005). References Aucouturier, P., Carp, R. I., Carnaud, C., Wisniewski, T. (2000). Prion diseases and the immune system. Clin Immunol. Aug., 96(2), 79-85. CDC. (2011). BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease). Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/ncidod/dvrd/bse/ WHO. (2002). Bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Media center. Retrieved from http://www. who. int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs113/en/ Wisniewski, T. (2005). Madcow disease. Retrieved from http://www. emedicinehealth. com/mad_cow_disease_and_variant_creutzfeldt-jakob_dis/page11_em. htm
Related papers
Language and gender essay
This is due to the fact that men tend to view themselves as being superior and this is reflected in the way they speak. As a result the use of language between men and women is evolving.
Philosophy term paper: abortion
Hence, if the double effect states that it is ok to take the life of the baby to save the life of the mother, we are saying it is ok to kill the baby to save the mother; even though ...
Worship experience in a roman catholic church essay
As I entered, the whole church was reverberating of the prayers and chants of the congregation and the priests. I observed the different practices and ways of worship, and could relate whatever was similar to my church service also.
The relationships of the two main characters
The Relationships Of The Two Main Characters " Back to the Dreamtime is a short story about an Aboriginal teenage, Richard is compelled by his dream to come to terms about his past and his oral culture, Aboriginal. Richard was ...
Free secrets & lies essay example
The whole plot of the movie revolves around a web of secrets and lies that every character in the film seems to be caught up in including the lead actor. Her approach towards everything in a happy and positive manner ...
Why i want a wife introduction
Even though the role of wives has come a long way since the early 70's, the general outline still remains: care for the husband and kids and to maintain the house. And though many adjustments have been made the credentials ...
Explain how children and young people’s development is influenced by a range of personal factors
Even before birth a child needs to reach many milestones and however small or large they can cause a delay in a childs development and in many cases are completely out of the childs or parents control. Certain factors before ...
Literature review on a days wait by ernest hemignway
After hours of waiting to see his death with no success and the fact that the father was curious about his improvement, Schatz decided to reveal what was bothering his mind. In narrating the story, the author was revealing to ...
Anti-abortion speech
Abortionis wrong and I am going to tell you why you should not get one or support them because of the adoption option, the after effects and the simple fact that it's murder. The mother will be able to pursue ...
Career search essay example
In these sessions toys, verbal interaction, and dolls, art material are used in order to help the child or the children feel comfortable and in a familiar environment thus they are able to open up. The contacts with the patients ...
Arranged marriages in india – paper
If the bride or groom does not want to approve of the marriage at the time of the wedding it may be cancelled. It is a big ease on the parents of the bride knowing that she will be living ...
Free essay on custody case paper
According to one of the lawyer's handling the custody case, the child has started to show signs of emotional stress and frustration whenever her father fails to comply with the scheduled visitations whenever he is out of the state. It ...
Example of other creative writing
He is arrogant and thinks that he is better than anyone else. Denzel is a serious man and he seldom speaks.
The rocking horse winner and the destructors a comparison of themes and point of essay
Thesis statement: Although both the stories carry the same theme of lives wasted in the pursuit of materialism, The Rocking Horse Winner takes a more moralistic point of view towards the subject when compared to The Destructors which is a ...
Divorce and its effects on teenagers
All teens agreed that divorce creates a significant emotional need in teens and many use drugs or/and alcohol to cope with the impact of parental divorce on their family lives. In this study we realize that the drugs are a ...
Whats in a name essays examples
One is the existence of reputation and another is the entity or identity that one tends to embrace especially in the context of determining one's role in relation to the name that has been given to him. Notably, such condition ...
Abortion: bad decision
I had one mistake in my life it's still the worst decision that I had made it in my life when I decided to come here to U.S. Through I got my visaimmigrationto the U.S.so, I stopped to complete my ...
Little snow-white & snow white and the seven dwarfs essay
In the short story, the little princess is referred to as the " Little Snow-White". The Protagonist is the little princes or the Snow White, who is at the center of the story while the antagonist is the jealous stepmother.
Pro-choice vs. pro-life essays example
There are many clashes nowadays between the supporters of pro-life and pro-choice stances on abortion. There are many options that I did not know were available to women before and their website really reminded that life is precious and should ...
Abolish marriage essay sample
Kinsley argues that if marriage was privatized, the gay marriage debate as well as a lot of the controversy on marriage would be eliminated. Kinsley's solution to the gay marriage debate is to end the institution of government-sanctioned marriage.
Precious psych essay sample
She did not have the right environment and parents to motivate intellectual growth and her mother kept telling her she is stupid and cannot learn anything. Through dreams and fantasies she paints a picture of who she really wants to ...
Running head for publication goes here
Understanding the drug use and the definition of drug addiction is critical to resolve the issue. Dependence is the need to take a drug regardless of the consequences and the inability to give up the drug even if they wish ...
The glass castle by jeannette walls essay sample
The memoir of Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle captures both the splendor and regret that surround her past and present life. Jeannette offers a lot about the significance of idealism and truth in The Glass Castle and its effect ...
Site visit report: easter seals blake foundation
The Easter seals present the program but it is people like Faith and Myrina that handle the interventions along with most of the people in the office. CFT measure the progress that is going on with the program that is ...
Teenage pregnancy in philippines
The problem mounts because the barkada has a more profound influence than parents do and they exert pressure and expect the adolescent to conform to the rest of them. In the Philippines, according to the 2002 Young Adult Fertility and ...