What is the primary mode of transmission for BSE?

What is the primary mode of transmission for BSE?

• A. Direct contact between animals
• B. Ingestion of infected tissues
• C. Airborne spread
• D. Transmission via blood

Answer: (B)

In BSE the main way cattle become infected is by ingesting prion-contaminated tissues, especially central nervous system material, through feed. Prions are misfolded proteins that propagate when consumed, so feeding practices that included meat-and-bone meal from infected animals spread the disease. Once ingested, prions resist typical digestion and can initiate infection in gut-associated tissues, then travel to the brain to cause disease. Direct contact between animals, airborne spread, or transmission via blood are not the primary routes for BSE in cattle, which is why altering feed composition and banning contaminated feed dramatically reduced new cases.

In BSE the main way cattle become infected is by ingesting prion-contaminated tissues, especially central nervous system material, through feed. Prions are misfolded proteins that propagate when consumed, so feeding practices that included meat-and-bone meal from infected animals spread the disease. Once ingested, prions resist typical digestion and can initiate infection in gut-associated tissues, then travel to the brain to cause disease.

Direct contact between animals, airborne spread, or transmission via blood are not the primary routes for BSE in cattle, which is why altering feed composition and banning contaminated feed dramatically reduced new cases.