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PAPERS: Paul Aylin, Julia Bunting, Bianca De Stavola, Michel P Coleman, and Annick Alpérovitch Mortality from dementia in occupations at risk of exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy: analysis of death registrations • Commentary: Uncertainty over length of incubation tempers optimism BMJ 1999; 318: 1044-1045 [Full text]

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Could a cut finger transmit nvBSE?

Steve Field   (23 August 2000)

Could a cut finger transmit nvBSE? 23 August 2000
Steve Field, R&D Scientist SIMS Portex Send response to journal: Re: Could a cut finger transmit nvBSE?	Have any studies been undertaken to ascertain if direct blood contact with infective material is a route for nvBSE infection? A possible route might be: direct contact by cutting e.g a finger on a contaminated surface, such a surface might be a tin of pet food. Pet food may well contain products with high levels of nerve and brain tissue from animals considerably older than those used for human consumption. Direct blood contact would bypass the stomach thus preventing the digestion of prions. A simple study of deaths correlated with pet ownership may show a correlation.