The main entrance for this web site - choosing slide show or science option


Introduction Introduction to BSE and human CJD
TSE Timeline Important events in the history of TSE both human, Scrapie and BSE are put in chronological order
Definitions Terms used within the site are defined
Research Description of the Research effort relating to BSE


Signs, Epidemiology Description of Mad Cow disease clinical signs and statistics and epidemiology of the disease
Countries with BSE Countries with BSE and Maps
Transmission How BSE is believed to have spread to begin the epidemic in the UK
Infectivity List of what tissues have been shown to transmit BSE
Tests Tests for BSE (and TSE) already used and in development
Urine Prions in urine, safety and usefulness as a tests for BSE (and TSE)
PMCA Test A new promising assay to detect BSE (TSE)
MBM Export Graph showing Meat and Bone Meal exports from the UK
Feeding Practices Cattle feeding events that are believed to have spread BSE in the UK
US Prevention Efforts taken in the US to prevent BSE from entering
Epidemic Map Map of the incidence of BSE in the UK (and of vCJD)
Epidemic Plot Plot of the incidence of BSE in the UK (and of vCJD)
Plot non-UK Plots of the incidence of BSE outside the UK
UK Control Text decription of the BSE epidemic
UK Chronology Efforts in the UK to eradicate BSE and stop the BSE epidemic
FDA Regulations An FDA file describing the efforts to prevent BSE from entering the US
FDA Regulations An FDA file describing the efforts to keep the US food supply safe


Prion vs Virino The debate on the cause of TSEs
Description Description of what prion proteins are and changes associated with TSE
Mechanisms Text description of prion involvement in TSEs
Protein Processing Intracellular process of normal prion proteins prior to expression on cells (non-disease related processing)
Cell Conversion Simplified figure and description of how cells are involved in the misfolding of prions
3D Structure Picture and description of how the prion protein changes to cause TSEs
Cystine Bonds Proposed theory for method of prion conversion
Sinc Genotype Description of another gene involved in TSE susceptibility and expression
Genetics Prion gene differences
Species Compared The sequence of prion proteins between 4 species
Evolution Relatedness of various species based on the amino acid squence
Strains Text description of why there are different TSEs
Strain Typing Text description of why there are different TSEs
Strain Fidelity How different TSE strains maintain identity without genetic components
Species Barriers Description of a protective mechanism that slow TSE spreading between species
Concerns How TSE go undetected and how BSE may cross the species barrier
Identifying Cause Description of how TSE strains are identified as either genetic or non-genetic in origin


Diseases Description of the different forms of human TSE other than BSE
Mutations Human Prion Protein sequences associated with genetic TSEs (non-BSE)
Clinical Signs Comparison of human TSE in tabular format, including vCJD
Transmission Poster showing how humans became 'infected' with BSE (vCJD)
Blood Risk Concerns Regarding the US Donated Blood Supply Safety
Urine Prions in urine, safety and usefulness as a tests for BSE (and TSE)
BSE and CJD Criteria leading to the belief that vCJD arose from BSE and comparison of CJD to vCJD
Risks Description of factors the put humans at risk for BSE
vCJD Plot Plot of the incidence of vCJD over time (and for BSE as well)
vCJD Map/Signs Physical distribution of vCJD (human BSE) in the UK, and criteria used to diagnosis vCJD in the UK
sCJD Map Physical distribution of sporadic CJD in the UK
CNS Structure General Structure of the Human Brain: the organ most affected by prion diseases
CNS vs. TSE Where in the human brain the various prion diseases have the greatest affect


Sheep Scrapie The TSE of sheep
Pets (Cats) How pets can be protected from BSE
Mink, Wild, Zoo TSE of animals besides human, cattle and sheep


References Some important references concerning BSE
Other BSE Sites Links to other sites about TSE (and BSE) information
Author Contacts The designers of this site
UIUC General Info Link to the Main Site for the University with links to other information
Meat Sci. at UIUC Information from the Meat Science Lab at UIUC

July 20, 2001