Can Humans Get Chronic Wasting Disease? New Study Says It's Unlikely!
Key Takeaways
- CWD prions do not infect human cerebral organoids.
- There exists a significant species barrier between cervids and humans.
- Ongoing research is essential to monitor potential cross-species transmission.
Did You Know?
Introduction
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has sparked concerns regarding its transmission to humans. Recent findings from the NIH shed light on this vital issue.
What Is Chronic Wasting Disease?
CWD is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, and other cervids. Prions are misfolded proteins that can lead to brain damage and are known to cause similar diseases in humans, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).
The NIH Study
Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) investigated whether CWD can be transmitted from cervids to humans. They conducted experiments using healthy human cerebral organoids, which are lab-created, small-scale models of the human brain.
Experiment Details
The researchers exposed these cerebral organoids to high concentrations of CWD prions from white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk over a period of 7 days. They then monitored the organoids for signs of infection for up to six months.
Findings
The study revealed no evidence of CWD infection in the human cerebral organoids. Despite exposure to high-titer CWD prions, the organoids did not show new prion propagation or deposition of protease-resistant forms, suggesting a strong species barrier.
Comparative Prion Diseases
In contrast to CWD, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), another prion disease, has been shown to infect humans, causing variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). This distinction highlights the varied nature of prion diseases and their zoonotic potential.
Notable Cases
Concerns were further fueled by a case presented at the American Academy of Neurology, where a man experienced rapid-onset confusion and aggression after consuming venison from a CWD-infected deer population. Although his friend had also consumed the same meat and later died of CJD, the exact link to CWD remains unclear.
Continued Vigilance
Researchers emphasized the importance of continued monitoring and research into the possible transmission of CWD to humans. Although the current study indicates a strong species barrier, it does not entirely rule out the potential for cross-species infection under different circumstances.
Conclusion
The NIH study provides reassuring evidence that CWD has a significant barrier preventing its transmission to humans. However, ongoing research and surveillance are crucial to ensure public health safety.
Implications for Public Health
The findings suggest that while CWD prions do not readily infect human brain tissue, it remains important to exercise caution when handling or consuming meat from potentially infected wildlife.
