The prion’s
very name says it all: Derived from “protein,” a prion is an infectious misshapen
protein.
It is not a
living entity; not even on the order of the simplest bacteria. Nor is it a
virus, which more than a few scientists say is a “thing” that is “almost life.”
Prions have neither
DNA nor RNA. It attacks mammals only and is considered what’s called a
transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease that recruits via converting
healthy proteins into the misshapen form.
In effect,
the prion seeks to duplicate itself over and over again. As this insidious
process expands, holes in an infected animal’s nervous system – including and
perhaps, especially, the brain – develop. Such a condition results in the organ
becoming sponge-like matter; hence the application of the word “spongiform.”
As a result, some scientists refer to prions as “killer proteins.”
Consequently,
something so seemingly simple that isn’t even alive is a complex process that
still baffles the scientific community. The Centers for Disease Control notes
this paradox by saying that prions “… are still not completely understood” yet
notes that “Prion diseases are usually rapidly progressive and always fatal.”
In humans,
the Disease Centers also say, they are four known prion-linked disease. Chronic
Wasting Disease is not one of them.
The Disease
Center says as well that science knows of six prion-linked diseases in animals,
CWD being one of them.
Known CWD-
impacted animal species include elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and moose,
the Disease Centers says.
Though the
delivery mechanism is yet to be fully understood the Disease Centers does say
that scientific speculation suggests direct animal-to-animal contact and/or “indirect
exposure” through CWD-contaminated food or water sources are likely the
culprits.
Yet while
such organizations as the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance says that research “suggests
that humans, cattle and other domestic livestock are resistant to natural (CWD)
transmission” such infection still “remains a concern.”
This, in
spite of the fact that no human has been known to contract CWD under any
circumstances, natural or otherwise.
The Illinois
Department of Natural Resources says that disease signs in deer include excessive
salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and
urination, listlessness, teeth grinding, and holding the head in a lowered
position as well as drooping ears.
Likewise, the
agency says an infected deer may not display symptoms for as many as 18 months.
“In fact,
94-percent of the deer from Illinois that have tested positive for CWD have
otherwise appeared healthy,” the agency says in a question and answer document
on the subject.
- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
Jeff
is the retired News-Herald reporter who covered the earth sciences,
the area's three county park systems and the outdoors for the newspaper.
During his 30 years with The News-Herald Jeff was the recipient of more
than 100 state, regional and national journalism awards. He also is a
columnist and features writer for the Ohio Outdoor News, which is
published every other week and details the outdoors happenings in the
state.
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