CDC Journal Features DMU and USDA Study on Spread of Prion Diseases Between Animals and Humans

A study by Zoe Lambert, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences and a visiting scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture, was recently featured in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The research focuses on chronic wasting disease, a prion disease that affects white-tailed deer, and its potential risks for both animals and humans.

Prion diseases are progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect both animals and humans and are always fatal. Lambert's "Scrapie versus Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer" investigates how these diseases spread and evolve in large animals like deer, sheep and cattle and helps identify the differences between strains of prion disease. This research is particularly crucial given the rising concerns about the potential crossover from animals to humans.

Lambert's findings could have significant implications for public health and food safety, as chronic wasting disease has already raised alarms in the hunting and agricultural sectors. This research aims to deepen the understanding of how prion diseases spread in deer populations and their potential risks to humans consuming venison.

"The potential for prion diseases to jump from animals to humans has far-reaching consequences, especially within our food production systems. We saw this in the outbreak of mad cow disease. Interspecies transmission is an opportunity for mutation," Lambert says. "This study investigates a potential origin of prion diseases in deer, particularly chronic wasting disease, which could provide critical insights into preventing the spread of these diseases to humans."

"Dr. Lambert's research on chronic wasting disease is a pivotal contribution to the One Health framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health," says Pravin Mishra, Ph.D., M.B.A., executive director of research at DMU. "By examining the transmission and evolution of prion diseases, this study addresses critical concerns about the potential for animal-to-human disease crossover. The insights gained from this work will not only enhance our understanding of prion diseases but also inform strategies for safeguarding public health, food safety and wildlife populations in the future."

Lambert's research paves the way for future studies that will benefit both veterinary and human medicine, particularly in understanding and managing prion disease outbreaks.