BPSIs

BPSIs, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathies, are a group of fatal, neurodegenerative diseases that affect cattle. They are part of a larger family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which also include scrapie in sheep and goats, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The causative agents are believed to be prions, which are misfolded proteins that can induce other normal proteins to misfold, leading to their accumulation in the brain. This accumulation causes the characteristic spongiform or "spongy" appearance of brain tissue, with the formation of vacuoles and neuronal loss.

The most well-known BPSIs is commonly referred to as "mad cow disease." It was first identified in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s. The epidemic in the UK was largely attributed to the feeding of meat and bone meal contaminated with prions to cattle. These contaminated feed ingredients were derived from rendered cattle carcasses. This practice allowed the disease to spread rapidly within the cattle population.

The clinical signs of BPSIs in cattle can include changes in temperament, such as nervousness or aggression, impaired coordination, difficulty walking, and a decline in milk production. There is no known cure or treatment for BPSIs. The primary focus has been on prevention and control. This has involved measures such as banning the feeding of ruminant-derived meat and bone meal to cattle, implementing robust surveillance programs, and culling affected animals. The risk of transmission to humans through the consumption of contaminated beef led to significant public health concerns and has resulted in strict food safety regulations worldwide.