NR AELC
AU Garland,T.; Bauer,N.E.; Bailey,M.Jr.
TI Brain emboli in the lungs of cattle after stunning
QU Lancet 1996 Aug 31; 348(9027): 610
KI Lancet 1996 Sep 14; 348(9029): 749. PMID: 8806299
PT Letter to the editor
VT
We found grossly visible brain tissue (confirmed microscopically) in the left and right branches of the main pulmonary artery of 2.5-5% cattle after slaughter. The brain tissue varied in size between several millimetres to as large as 14 cm (figure). The emboli were caused by the stunning process used at slaughter. The stunning device used in the abattoir visited was a pneumatic-actuated penetrating captive bolt. This model, "The Knocker", by Hantover, has been in use in the USA since 1982 and available in the UK since the early 1980s. Although pneumatic stunning has not been recommended since the March, 1996, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) scare in the UK, pneumatic stunning is not prohibited and may be in use in the UK and in other countries.
Lungs are designated as edible tissue in the UK and are usually minced to put into sausages because they are not part of the specified offal ban.[2] Cooking temperatures required for sausage production are not sufficient to inactivate the scrapie isoform of the prion protein (PrP), which is regarded to be the probable agent responsible for BSE. Therefore, lungs represent a possible source of human exposure to brain tissue and PrPsc in the UK.
Macro-embolisation of brain tissue to the lungs as a result of head trauma has been recognised in human beings for more than 60 years. Cerebral emboli have been found in human pulmonary arteries as a result of falls, gunshot, automobile accidents, and difficult neonatal delivery. McMillan estimated the incidence of embolism of cerebral tissue in the lungs after fatal human head trauma at 2%. Brain proteins enter the circulation of human beings after head trauma. Creatine kinase brain isoenzyme (CKBB), a brain-specific protein, is found at elevated concentrations after head injury and serum CKBB have been used to quantify brain damage. CKBB is 80 kilodaltons while a prion protein is only 30 kilodaltons, and the scrapie isoform of prion protein is approximately 40 kilodaltons. It is likely that prion proteins are found throughout the bodies of animals stunned for slaughter.
Presented at USDA Scrapie/Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Consultants Group Meeting, Ames, Iowa, June 10 and 11, 1996
1. The Meat Products and Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984, Statutory Instrument No. 1984. No. 1566, MAFF, UK
2. The Specified Bovine Material Order 1996, Statutory Instrument No. 1996, No.963 and No. 1192, MAFF, UK. McMillan JB.
Embolism of cerebral tissue in lungs following severe head injury. Ann Pathol 1956; 32: 405-15. Hauck, A.J., Bambara, J.F., Edwards, W.D.
Embolism of brain tissue to the lung in a neonate: report of a case and review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1990; 114: 217-18. Bell, R., Alexander, G., Nguyen, T., Albin, M..
Quantification of cerebral infarct size by creatine kinase BB isoenzyme. Stroke 1986; 17(2): 254 60
IN Die Autoren fanden bei 2,5-5% der geschlachteten Rinder Hirngewebe in den rechten und linken Zweigen der Lungenschlagader. Die Hirngewebeteile maßen einige Millimeter bis 14 cm. Die Ursache sehen sie in der Verwendung des pneumatischen Bolzenschußapparates "Knocker" ([Tür]klopfer) der Firma Hantover, dessen Bolzen in das Gehirn eindringt. Dieses Modell wird in den USA seit 1982 benutzt und ist etwa gleich lange auch im Vereinigten Königreich erhältlich. Seit März 1996 wird die Verwendung pneumatischer Bolzenschußapparates in Großbritannien nicht empfohlen, aber auch nicht verboten und könnten noch in Gebrauch sein. Lunge gehört im Vereinigten Königreich zu den eßbaren Organen und soll gewöhnlich gehackt in Wurst verarbeitet werden. Weil die Hitzebehandlung während der Wurstzubereitung für eine Inaktivierung der Prionen nicht ausreicht, halten die Autoren mit Hirn kontaminiertes Lungengewebe für eine mögliche BSE-Infektionsquelle. Die Autoren belegen mit Referenzen, dass seit über 60 Jahren bekannt sei, dass man bei Menschen nach nicht invasiven Schädeltraumen Hirnembolien in den Lungen und anderen Teilen des Körpers finde.
MH Abattoirs; Animal; Brain; Cattle; Prion Diseases/transmission; Pulmonary Embolism/*veterinary
AD Tam Garland, Nathan Bauer, Murl Bailey Jr. - Depts of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Veterinary Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843 4466 USA
SP englisch
PO England
OR Prion-Krankheiten G
ZF kritische Zusammenfassung von Roland Heynkes