Claudio Soto

Reimbursed or sponsored travel

Shedding, retention and spreading of chronic wasting disease prions in the environment

Principal Investigator/Program Director (Last, first, middle): Morales, Rodrigo PROJECT NARRATIVE Compelling evidence suggest that environmental prion contamination is the main responsible for the CWD epidemics affecting cervids. The persistent prion agent can get into the environment by decaying carcasses, or release of biological products such as urine, feces, saliva and placenta. Infectious prions bind soil particles without losing their biological properties. Results from our laboratory show that infectious prions can also bind to plant components and several other materials. Interestingly, we found that earthworms can facilitate the spread of the infectious agent by direct binding or by transport of contaminated soil particles. In this project we will assess whether cumulative prion contamination by excreta is able to be concentrated in soil and other surfaces while increasing their potential to infect na�ve animals. Binding properties will be assessed and quantified using different methods. Importantly, we will assess the potential of CWD infected plants designated for consumption to misfold the human version of the prion protein. As part of the experimental plan, we will standardize conditions to assess, in an effective and rapid way, the presence and amount of infectivity in premises suspected to carry CWD infectivity. Results from these experiments will complement our current view of the CWD epidemic and help to design efficient methods to eradicate it.