PrP genotype : A flock-level risk factor for scrapie?

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

10 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)309-323
Journal / PublicationPreventive Veterinary Medicine
Volume92
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Previous epidemiological studies of risk factors for classical scrapie at flock level have identified a variety of management and purchase related variables, along with increased flock size and, in some cases, breed effects. Although known as a risk factor at the individual animal level, PrP genotype frequencies at flock level have not yet been studied. In an unmatched case-control study, three measures of flock-level prion protein (PrP) frequency estimates were investigated with respect to the scrapie status of the flock in 293 British sheep flocks (195 control flocks and 98 case flocks). Flocks with positive frequencies (more than 0 per cent) of two genotypes (VRQ/VRQ and AHQ/VRQ), large frequencies (more than 10 per cent) of the ARR/VRQ genotype, and large frequencies (more than 5.2 per cent) of the VRQ allele were at increased odds of being affected with clinical classical scrapie. When adjusted for flock size, breed and sampling strategy the genotype and allele effects remained, except that for flocks with positive frequencies of VRQ/VRQ. The known effect of increased risk with increased flock size was confirmed. A measure of the flock PrP genotype frequency profile should thus be included in studies of risk factors for scrapie. It could also be integrated into risk-based surveillance strategies for identification of "at-risk-of scrapie" flocks. Crown Copyright © 2009.

Research Area(s)

  • Case-control, Epidemiology, Flock level, PrP genotype, Risk factors, Scrapie

Citation Format(s)

PrP genotype: A flock-level risk factor for scrapie? / Tongue, Sue C.; Pfeiffer, Dirk U.; Shearn, P. Dave et al.
In: Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 92, No. 4, 01.12.2009, p. 309-323.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review