# Abnormal Prion Protein in Nasal Swab Specimens of Macaques Infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

## TL;DR

This study shows that nasal swabs can detect abnormal prion protein in macaques infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease before symptoms appear.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of nasal swabs for early, antemortem diagnosis of prion disease in macaques.

## Key findings

- Nasal swabs from infected macaques tested positive for abnormal prion protein during the preclinical stage.
- Disease was transmitted to 2 out of 4 macaques via blood transfusion from infected donors.
- Early detection is feasible during the long incubation period of the disease.

## Abstract

We transfused 4 macaques with blood of macaques previously infected with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, transmitting disease transmittal to 2 macaques (1 demonstrating clinical signs). Nasal swab specimens from both infected macaques became positive for disease-associated prion protein during the preclinical stage. Such samples are suitable for antemortem diagnosis during long incubation periods.