Which statement about transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) is accurate?

Which statement about transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) is accurate?

• A. TSEs affect only sheep.
• B. TSEs can affect multiple species including goats, cats, deer, and cattle.
• C. TSEs have never been observed in goats.
• D. TSEs are not transmissible.

Answer: (B)

TSEs are prion diseases where misfolded proteins drive neurodegeneration and these diseases can spread under certain conditions, not just stay within one species. In animals, TSEs include scrapie in sheep and goats, BSE in cattle, chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, and feline spongiform encephalopathy in cats. This makes the statement that TSEs can affect multiple species, including goats, cats, deer, and cattle, the accurate one. Other options miss important facts: TSEs are not limited to sheep, goats have indeed been affected by scrapie; goats have documented cases of TSEs. And while transmission can be challenging to control, these diseases are transmissible—through contaminated feed, environment, or medical procedures—so saying they are not transmissible is incorrect.

TSEs are prion diseases where misfolded proteins drive neurodegeneration and these diseases can spread under certain conditions, not just stay within one species. In animals, TSEs include scrapie in sheep and goats, BSE in cattle, chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, and feline spongiform encephalopathy in cats. This makes the statement that TSEs can affect multiple species, including goats, cats, deer, and cattle, the accurate one.

Other options miss important facts: TSEs are not limited to sheep, goats have indeed been affected by scrapie; goats have documented cases of TSEs. And while transmission can be challenging to control, these diseases are transmissible—through contaminated feed, environment, or medical procedures—so saying they are not transmissible is incorrect.