ANIMAL PRION DISEASES: FROM CONFORMATIONAL CONVERSION TO PRINCIPLES OF BIOSECURITY
Keywords:
prions, prion proteins, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, scrapie in sheeps, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention.Abstract
Prion diseases of animals represent a specific group of infectious disorders associated with the accumulation of the pathological form of prion protein and the development of irreversible neurodegenerative changes. They are characterized by a prolonged incubation period, high mortality, the absence of effective therapy, and considerable resistance of the agent to environmental factors. Therefore, prion infections remain an important problem in veterinary medicine, requiring continuous improvement of diagnostic, preventive, and control systems.
The aim of this study was to summarize current scientific data on the biological properties of prions, mechanisms of pathological process development, epidemiological characteristics, diagnostic approaches, experimental therapeutic strategies, and control measures for animal prion diseases. The study was based on the analysis and systematization of the results of modern national and international scientific publications.
The article discusses the development and spread of the main animal prion diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie in sheep. Modern concepts concerning the role of prion protein conformational changes, cellular mechanisms of nervous tissue damage, and genetic factors influencing host susceptibility are presented. Particular attention is paid to histopathological, molecular, and amplification-based diagnostic methods, as well as promising experimental therapeutic approaches and modern principles of veterinary sanitary control.
The practical value of the study lies in the systematization of scientific information that can be used to improve understanding of prion infections, enhance diagnostic approaches, epidemiological surveillance, and preventive measures in veterinary medicine.
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