Prion forensics: A multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site

Marc D. Schwabenlander; Jason C. Bartz; Michelle Carstensen; Alberto Fameli; Linda Glaser; Roxanne J. Larsen; Manci Li; Rachel L. Shoemaker; Gage Rowden; Suzanne Stone; W. David Walter; Tiffany M. Wolf; Peter A. Larsen

doi:10.1080/19336896.2024.2343298

USGS · 70257516

Prion forensics: A multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site

Marc D. Schwabenlander·Jason C. Bartz·Michelle Carstensen·Alberto Fameli·Linda Glaser·Roxanne J. Larsen·Manci Li·Rachel L. Shoemaker·Gage Rowden·Suzanne Stone·W. David Walter·Tiffany M. Wolf·Peter A. Larsen

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Abstract

Infectious prions are resistant to degradation and remain infectious in the environment for several years. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in cervids inhabiting North America, the Nordic countries, and South Korea. CWD-prion spread is partially attributed to carcass transport and disposal. We employed a forensic approach to investigate an illegal carcass dump site connected with a CWD-positive herd. We integrated anatomic, genetic, and prion amplification methods to discover CWD-positive remains from six white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and, using microsatellite markers, confirmed a portion originated from the CWD-infected herd. This approach provides a foundation for future studies of carcass prion transmission risk.

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Prion Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 47.4103° to 48.5423° latitude; -95.6027° to -94.416° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Marc D. Schwabenlander, Jason C. Bartz, Michelle Carstensen, Alberto Fameli, Linda Glaser, Roxanne J. Larsen, Manci Li, Rachel L. Shoemaker, Gage Rowden, Suzanne Stone, W. David Walter, Tiffany M. Wolf, Peter A. Larsen. 2024-04-26. Prion forensics: A multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site. https://doi.org/10.1080/19336896.2024.2343298

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