Prions in BSE are primarily found in which tissue group?

Prions in BSE are primarily found in which tissue group?

• A. Central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, retina) and distal ileum
• B. Blood
• C. Muscle
• D. Milk

Answer: (A)

The key idea is where prions accumulate in BSE. In bovine spongiform encephalopathy, abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) is most abundant in neural tissues—the brain, spinal cord, and retina—reflecting the disease’s strong neurotropism. It is also found in the distal ileum due to involvement of gut-associated lymphoid tissue, but not predominantly in blood, muscle, or milk. So the tissue group that best fits prion distribution in BSE is the central nervous system plus the distal ileum.

The key idea is where prions accumulate in BSE. In bovine spongiform encephalopathy, abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) is most abundant in neural tissues—the brain, spinal cord, and retina—reflecting the disease’s strong neurotropism. It is also found in the distal ileum due to involvement of gut-associated lymphoid tissue, but not predominantly in blood, muscle, or milk. So the tissue group that best fits prion distribution in BSE is the central nervous system plus the distal ileum.