Prion protein gene polymorphisms in healthy and scrapie-affected sheep in Greece

• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.19520-0
• Publication Date: 2004-02-09T22:07:58Z
• Authors: Charalambos Billinis; Vassilios Psychas; Leonidas Leontides; Vassiliki Spyrou; Stamatis Argyroudis; Ioannis Vlemmas; Sotirios Leontides; Theodoros Sklaviadis; Orestis Papadopoulos
• Keywords: Flock; Purebred; Subclinical infection

A total of 216 local crossbred sheep from 16 scrapie-affected Greek flocks and 210 purebred the milk breeds Chios Karagouniko healthy were analysed for scrapie-linked polymorphisms in prion protein (PrP) gene. Of this case-control study, 96 clinical cases, 25 subclinical cases (asymptomatic at moment euthanasia but positive by histopathology and/or ELISA detecting proteinase-resistant PrP) 95 controls (negative all evaluations). Polymorphisms codons 136, 154 171 determined denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, followed RFLP sequencing. Scrapie, both subclinical, was associated with genotypes ARQ/ARQ (88 110 that genotype), ARQ/TRQ (9 13), ARQ/AHQ (15 38) VRQ/VRQ 17). Histopathological lesions more severe cases. Genotypes ARQ/ARR (26 sheep), ARQ/ARK (seven AHQ/ARR (one ARH/ARH sheep) ARR/ARH (three detected exclusively control sheep. In survey, four present (ARQ/ARQ, ARQ/TRQ, ARQ/ARR) ARQ/AHQ, ARQ/ARH).