Mandatory notification of clinical BSE in cattle. Kicking in parlour, ataxia, apprehension.

Confirmation of BSE by histopathology at Central Veterinary Laboratory - single section of medullary obex used to show vacuolation in the solitary tract and spinal tract nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. This is always backed up by em to look for fibrils.

Occasional disease in cats, diagnosed by clinical disease, histopathology, vacuolation and fibrils of PrP.

Detection of PrP^sc at 27-30 KDa by antisera to PrP^sc after Western blotting of proteinase-k-treated homogenate ofmedullary obex, next to the IVth ventricle is now automated. The medulla contains more antigen than the cortex and results in fewer false-negatives. Early false postives were linked to inadequate proteinase K treatment ((Scaler et al., 1999).