Spongiform encephalopathy detection methods

摘要

A method for detecting the presence of a spongiform encephalopathy (e.g. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in an animal comprising determining the presence and/or amount of agent (e.g. by 2D-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining) in a body fluid (e.g. cerebrospinal fluid) of the animal which has a molecular weight of between 35-39 kDa, and a pI of 5.3 and which does not cross-react with antibody raised against apoliprotein E and relating the result of this determination to a control value (e.g. from a known uninfected animal) so as to be able to detect the likely presence of spongiform encephalopathy in the animal.