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- Horny experience: scientists from the Russian Federation assessed the possibility of the transition of the disease "zombie deer" to humans
Horny experience: scientists from the Russian Federation assessed the possibility of the transition of the disease "zombie deer" to humans
The first step towards overcoming interspecies barriers by the pathogen causing the chronic debilitating disease CWD, also known as the "zombie deer" disease, has already been taken, virologists told Izvestia. Scientists have recorded cases of infection in pigs. However, the disease has not yet been transmitted to people, but in the future such a risk cannot be excluded. Earlier about the danger of the transition of the disease to humans said the leading researcher of infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota Michael Osterholm. The disease is incurable and fatal in 100% of cases, it is now detected in deer in at least 33 U.S. states, but their exact number is not known.
Is it possible to contract the "zombie deer" disease
The currently incurable chronic wasting disease (chronically debilitating disease (CWD), also known as "zombie deer" disease or "zombie virus," has already taken the first step toward cross-species transmission. This is not a viral but a prion disease, such as mad cow disease, Albert Rizvanov, head of the Center of Excellence "Personalized Medicine" at Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, emphasized in a conversation with Izvestia.
- Since other prion diseases have previously been transmitted from animals to humans, this possibility theoretically exists. So far it has been shown that wild pigs can become infected by eating the corpses of infected deer. So far, there is no case of human CWD infection," the expert said.
Earlier, Michael Osterholm, a leading infectious disease researcher at the University of Minnesota, said about the danger of the disease passing to humans. According to a report funded by the Department of Natural Resources of this state, there are reports that CWD from deer could have infected wild boars. Therefore, there is a danger that domestic pigs related to wild boars could become ill. Due to the fact that pig cells are similar to human cells, there is an increased risk of transmitting the disease to humans.
- It is believed that in humans and deer, the differences in the amino acid sequences of the prion protein are large enough to reduce the likelihood of infection. Moreover, there are articles that direct transmission is impossible. But on the other hand, the difference between deer and pig proteins is smaller, and the pigs were able to become infected. And the difference between pig and human proteins is even smaller. And the possibility arises that gradually, moving from one animal to another, such prion proteins could adapt and eventually lead to disease in humans. Therefore, there are certainly concerns and risks," explained Albert Rizvanov.
Chronic debilitating disease is caused not by bacteria or viruses, but by prions. This is a special class of infectious agents, which are proteins with an abnormal structure. American and Chinese scientists conducted a series of experiments to determine how likely exposure to these prions can lead to the development of pathology in humans. The researchers took human brain organoids (artificially grown brain cells) and exposed them to infectious agents for a week, and then for six months periodically checked the samples for pathologies. Prions did not multiply in human cells, which, according to the scientists, suggests that there is a strong interspecies barrier to transmission between humans and animals.
However, another study, conducted by experts from Texas and other US states, showed the possibility of transmission of the causative agent of chronic debilitating disease between different species. Scientists have influenced prions on the tissues of wild pigs, which in nature are in contact with infected deer. It turned out that the pathogen can multiply in pigs, although they are quite resistant in transmission in the wild. From this, the scientists concluded that this species of animal may well become a vector of a chronic debilitating disease.
What are the symptoms of the "zombie deer" disease
Currently, cases of CWD infection in deer have been identified in at least 33 states, but the exact number is not known.
In a report from Minnesota , experts warn that the disease can be transmitted to humans through infected deer caught by hunters. Both pork and venison are usually cooked before consumption, but researchers say that won 't save you from contracting the chronic wasting protein, as cooking only concentrates the misfolded proteins that cause the disease.
CWD is incurable, and there are no vaccines or treatments for humans. One can contract the disease simply through contact with the saliva, feces or blood of an infected animal, the document said. Deer with CWD suffer brain damage, dramatic weight loss, poor coordination and salivation, and complete inattention to their surroundings. The disease is fatal in 100% of cases.
Prion disease develops very slowly and leads to neurodegeneration, explained "Izvestia" researcher at the Institute of Immunology and Physiology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Bolkov.
- This is a pathology of the type of mad cow disease. A class of such diseases is called spongiform encephalopathy. It develops due to a chain reaction from interaction with the wrong protein, which enters the body of the infected with food just as it did with mad cow disease. A prion is a misfolded protein. By contacting its neighbors, the exact same proteins in the brain, it causes them to fold into an irregular, shape like its own. And it builds up. There is so little data on the effect of prions on people that there is still a debate about whether heating meat helps to "disinfect" from them," said Mikhail Bolkov.
According to him, there have been cases of hunters infecting animals with prions. It probably depends on the dose and similarity of proteins of different species, the way it was with mad cow disease.
The disease is transmitted by eating meat, bones and other parts of infected animals, Invitro infectious disease doctor Andrei Pozdnyakov told Izvestia.
However, there are few cases of detection of prion diseases in people who were infected through food. The infectious disease doctor attributed this to the fact that meat sold in stores and coming into Russia is necessarily checked. He emphasized that this virus does not cause concerns yet.
He also noted that prion diseases are a big mystery in medicine. According to him, the class of infectious pathogens causing them is poorly studied, as it was discovered in 1982.
As for animals, according to Denis Kolbasov, director of the All-Russian Research Institute of Veterinary Virology and Microbiology, the chronic debilitating disease is atypical for Russia.
- Official data on this disease should be requested from government agencies. But there have been no cases of infection in my memory. It has been described and identified in the world, but it is not widespread in the Russian Federation. However, there are no zero risks," said Denis Kolbasov.
Medics warn that eating unprocessed meat from wild animals, including fried "with blood", can be dangerous.
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