European project to study bse strain in sheep

Objective

BSE in sheep is currently considered as a major threat for the European ovine industry but also for human health. In this context, by federating the efforts of all major teams involved in sheep TSE in Europe, our proposal will help to:
(I) Assess the BSE vertical and horizontal transmission in sheep under natural conditions.
(ii) Determine the minimal infective BSE dose in sheep.
(iii) Characterize consequences of multi passage in sheep on BSE strain phenotype and our ability to detect such an adapted strain.
(iv) Evaluate strain detection in sheep in case of scrape/BSE co-infection, and so our ability to detect BSE in cc-infected BSE/scrapieflocks
(v) Evaluate the effect of serial trans-species transmission on the species barrier, and more particularly on the human species barrier
(vi) Confirm that the homozygous and heterozygous A_R_R_ sheep is not a TSE silent carriers" and better understand the cellular basis of this resistance. This project will bring new and definitive elements on the sensitive question of BSE in Sheep at both the animal and human health levels. Those data will be the basis for a scientifically based policy in BSE in sheep risk assessment.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, Credit: EC-GISCO, © EuroGeographics for the administrative boundaries

Coordinator

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

Address

Chemin Des Capelles 23
31076 Toulouse
France

Participants (7)

CIDC-LELYSTAD, CENTRAAL INSTITUUT DIERZIEKTE CONTROLE LELYSTAD

Netherlands

Address

Houtribweg 39
8221 RA Lelystad

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

United Kingdom

Address

Woodham Lane, New Haw
KT15 3NB Addlestone

FRIEDRICH-LOEFLER INSTITUTE FEDERAL RESEARCH INSTITUT FOR ANIMAL HEALTH

Germany

Address

Boddenblick 5 A
17498 Insel Riems

INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH

United Kingdom

Address

Compton Laboratory, Compton
RG20 7NN Newbury

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACION Y TECNOLOGIA AGRARIA Y ALIMENTARIA

Spain

Address

Carreteria De Algete A El Casar Km 8.1 S/n
28130 Valdeolmos - Madrid

National Veterinary Institute

Norway

Address

Ullevaalsveien 68
0106 Oslo

University College Dublin

Ireland

Address

Ballsbridge
4 Dublin