The time it takes for symptoms to occur after you're exposed to the disease is not known for sure, but experts think it is years. There is no single test to diagnose vCJD. Doctors may think that a person has vCJD based on where the person has lived and the person's symptoms and past health. Researchers are now trying to develop a blood test that looks for vCJD. But no blood test is available at this time. A brain biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of vCJD.
There is no cure for vCJD. Treatment includes managing the symptoms that occur as the disease gets worse. The following health organizations are tracking and studying mad cow disease and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease vCJD. Their websites contain the most up-to-date information about these diseases. Current as of: September 23, Author: Healthwise Staff.
Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Overview What is mad cow disease, and does it infect people?
How common are mad cow disease and vCJD? What are the symptoms of vCJD? Over time, once enough misfolded proteins accumulate, brain degeneration occurs. The incubation time from infection to disease symptom appearance is very long, anywhere from several months to decades.
While little is currently known about treating prion diseases, they may ultimately prove simpler to treat than bacterial infections. To cure a bacterial infection, all the bacteria must be killed. To effectively treat a prion disease, it may be enough to simply slow down the rate of prion growth, turning what's already a long process into a longer one that will not produce disease in a person's lifetime. The current study results are a step in that direction.
The researchers tested 68 related compounds known as styryl-based compounds, as well as trimipramine and fluphenazine, for their ability to prevent prion infections in mouse cell cultures and for toxicity.
Both drugs and two of the styryl compounds, numbers and 59, showed good effectiveness and were non-toxic. The researchers then tested these four compounds in mice that had been experimentally infected with prions. Infected mice treated with any of the four compounds took percent longer before displaying disease symptoms, with compound giving the best results.
The U. Since August , the FDA has not allowed most parts from cows and certain other animals to be used to make food that is fed to cows. This protects healthy cows from getting BSE by making sure that the food they eat is not contaminated with the abnormal prion. Certain high-risk cow parts are not allowed to be used to make any animal feed, including pet food. This prevents all animal feed from being accidentally contaminated with the abnormal prion.
High-risk cow parts are those parts of the cow that have the highest chance of being infected with the abnormal prion, such as the brains and spinal cords from cows that are 30 months of age or older. By keeping the food that is fed to cows safe, the FDA is protecting people by making sure that the food they eat comes from healthy cows. The FDA also works with the U. The USDA also makes sure that high-risk cow parts, such as the brains and spinal cords, and cows that are unable to walk or that show other signs of disease are not used to make food for people.
Only six cows with BSE have been found in the U. The first case was reported in and the most recent case was found in August It is worth noting that there are two types of BSE, classical and atypical. Classical is caused by contaminated feed fed to cows. Atypical is rarer and happens spontaneously, usually in cows 8-years-old or older. Of the six U. The only case of classical BSE in the U. Sheep, goats, mink, deer, and elk can get sick with their own versions of BSE.
Cats are the only common household pet known to have a version of BSE.
0コメント