Infectious prion diseases are transmitted naturally within affected host populations, for example of sheep and deer. Once an animal is symptomatic its excretions may contain contagious prions, but the biological importance of these sources in sustaining epidemics remains unclear. Here it is shown that asymptomatic mule deer infected with chronic wasting disease excrete infectious prions in their faeces long before they develop clinical signs of prion disease.
- Gültekin Tamgüney
- Michael W. Miller
- Stanley B. Prusiner
