Mechanisms of Genetic Resistance to CWD Infection in White‐Tailed Deer and Caribou

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting deer, elk, reindeer and moose. A factor in determining whether deer and caribou will be infected with CWD is the structure of the normal prion protein. Deer and caribou with specific changes in the structure of their prion protein live longer following infection with CWD. The research team will examine how these changes in the prion protein affecting shedding of prions in saliva, urine and feces of infected animals and determine how they affect disease transmission. Together, these data will provide government, policy makers and future researchers with more information on how changes in the normal prion protein affect CWD prion replication and transmission.