URODYNAMIC PARAMETERS IN SCRAPIE-AFFECTED EWES AND THEIR MODIFICATIONS IN THE COURSE OF THE DISEASE

The aim of this study was to determine the urological abnormalities li nked to spontaneous spongiform encephalopathy and their occurrence in the course of the disease. The animals used in this were 11 healthy an d 20 scrapie-affected ewes. The scrapie-affected ewes were studied at a rate of once a month (1 to 5 measures; mean, 2.55) until they died. Urodynamic explorations were performed. The bladder activity was explo red using cystometry. The urethral activity was measured during cystom etry and during a urethral pressure profile. Both were analyzed using International Continence Society recommendations. Results showed in sc rapie-affected ewes a decrease in functional bladder capacity and an i ncrease in detrusor contraction incidence during filling of the bladde r and in the occurrence of significant urethral instability. Bladder a bnormalities were seen only in scrapie-affected ewes and worsened duri ng the course of the disease. Urethral instability was not typical of the disease but was significantly more frequent in scrapie-affected ew es. It was concluded that lower urinary tract dysfunction occurred in scrapie-affected ewes and worsened during the course of the disease. T his dysfunction is in agreement with overactive detrusor function due to neurological lesions. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.