Fig. 2

Central and peripheral prion accumulation in different species infected with classical BSE or CWD. Generally, peripheral accumulation of either classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (c-BSE) (Balkema-Buschmann et al. 2011; Franz et al. 2012; Ackermann et al. 2017; Ackermann et al. 2021; Iwata et al. 2006; Buschmann and Groschup 2005) or chronic wasting disease (CWD) (Hamir et al. 2007; Hamir et al. 2011b; Hamir et al. 2006c; Hamir et al. 2005; Haley et al. 2016c) prions is limited in cattle – with accumulation observed in the retina, tonsils, and mesenteric lymph nodes in animals inoculated with either c-BSE or CWD, along with the distal gastrointestinal tract of cattle infected with c-BSE. Sheep show a mixed distribution when infected with either c-BSE (Keulen et al. 2008; Lezmi et al. 2006; Jeffrey et al. 2001) or CWD (Cassmann et al. 2021a; Cassmann et al. 2021b; Hamir et al. 2006b), including deposits in tonsil, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, retina, and both retropharyngeal and mesenteric lymph nodes. Deer inoculated with BSE show a peripheral distribution similar to that of cattle with c-BSE, though lacking deposition in the tonsils and mesenteric lymph nodes occasionally seen in cattle with c-BSE (Dagleish et al. 2008; Martin et al. 2009). Most cervid species naturally infected with CWD have widespread peripheral prion accumulation across excretory organs, lymphoid tissues, as well as muscle and antler velvet (Sigurdson et al. 2001; Haley et al. 2011; Angers et al. 2009; Angers et al. 2006; Wild et al. 2002; Spraker et al. 2002a). Detection methods, including conventional western blotting or IHC, amplification techniques, or bioassay, varied across studies and are indicated for each assessment where appropriate