View source for Feline spongiform encephalopathy


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==Overview==
'''Feline spongiform encephalopathy''' affects [[felidae|feline]]s. It is caused by [[protein]]s called [[prion]]s.

==Disease==
Feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) is a [[prion]] [[disease]] thought to be related to [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy]] ([[BSE]]). This disease is known to affect [[domestic]] and [[Captivity (animal)|captive]] feline [[species]]. Lezmi S. et al (2003), suggested that this infectious agent might be spread by both [[Hematology|haematogenous]] and [[Nervous system|nervous]] pathways. Like BSE, this disease can take several [[years]] to develop. It is probable, but not proven, that the affected animals contract the disease by eating contaminated [[bovine]] [[meat]].

==Clinical signs==
[[Ataxia]] was observed to last for about 8 weeks in the affected animals. The ultimate result is death of the infected animals.

==Epidemiology==
This disease was first reported in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1990. Up until about 5 years ago, there were reports of 87 FSE cases (only domestic cats) in the UK, one in [[Norway]], one in [[Northern Ireland]] and one in [[Switzerland]]. However, since 1990, other feline species in [[zoos]] were reported to have contracted this disease.

==Diagnosis==
This disease can only be confirmed at the [[post-mortem]], which includes identification of bilaterally symmetrical [[vacuole|vacuolation]] of the [[neuropil]] and vacuolation in [[neurone]]s. [[Lesions]] are likely to be found in [[basal ganglia]], [[cerebral cortex]] and [[thalamus]] of the [[brain]].

==Treatment==
Unfortunately this is a [[Terminal illness|terminal]] condition and there is currently no specific treatment for the disease.

==See also==
*[[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy]]

==References==
*http://www.provet.co.uk/petfacts/healthtips/fse2.htm
*Lezmi S., Bencsik A., Monks E., Petit T., Baron T.; First case of spongiform encephalopathy in a captive cheetah born in France:PrP(sc) analysis in various tissues revealed unexpected targeting of the kidney and adrenal gland; Histochem. Cell Biology; 2003; 119(5): 415-422

==External links==
* http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/news/madcow.htm

[[Category:Prions]]
[[Category:Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies]]
[[Category:Foodborne illnesses]]



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