TRANSMISSIBLE MINK ENCEPHALOPATHY

Transmissible mink encephalopathy is a rare disease of ranch-raised mi nk that is caused by exposure to a scrapie-like agent in feed. Transmi ssion of TME to hamsters resulted in the identification of two clinica lly different syndromes, HYPER and DROWSY. Differences in the physicoc hemical properties of PrP from these two strains suggests that PrP pla ys an important role in. defining strains. This review will summarize what is currently known about TME and relate it to the broader field o f transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.