Soil clay content underlies prion infection odds

W. David Walter, Daniel P. Walsh, Matthew L. Farnsworth, Dana L. Winkelman and Michael W. Miller ()
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W. David Walter: United States Geological Survey, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Daniel P. Walsh: Wildlife Research Center
Matthew L. Farnsworth: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health
Dana L. Winkelman: United States Geological Survey, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Michael W. Miller: Wildlife Research Center

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Environmental factors—especially soil properties—have been suggested as potentially important in the transmission of infectious prion diseases. Because binding to montmorillonite (an aluminosilicate clay mineral) or clay-enriched soils had been shown to enhance experimental prion transmissibility, we hypothesized that prion transmission among mule deer might also be enhanced in ranges with relatively high soil clay content. In this study, we report apparent influences of soil clay content on the odds of prion infection in free-ranging deer. Analysis of data from prion-infected deer herds in northern Colorado, USA, revealed that a 1% increase in the clay-sized particle content in soils within the approximate home range of an individual deer increased its odds of infection by up to 8.9%. Our findings suggest that soil clay content and related environmental properties deserve greater attention in assessing risks of prion disease outbreaks and prospects for their control in both natural and production settings.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1203

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