SCIENTIFIC OPINION Genetic TSE resistance in goats 1 Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards

SUMMARY Following a request from the European Commission, the Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on genetic TSE resistance in goats in consideration of a pilot project study carried out in Cyprus. In particular, the BIOHAZ Panel was requested to assess the scientific validity of the study and to indicate to what extent and based on this study genetic breeding can be used as a control program for Classical scrapie in goats in Cyprus. The review of the limited studies carried out so far indicate that PRNP polymorphisms can modulate scrapie susceptibility in goats. Some polymorphisms could be associated with a lower susceptibility to TSE and are possible candidates for future breeding programmes. It has to be clarified whether the association of PRNP polymorphisms with apparent resistance to scrapie in goat is limited to those scrapie agents involved in the outbreaks studied and if this apparent resistance can be extended to other combinations of TSE agents/goat breeds. The report of the Cypriot pilot study presents a case control study in Cypriot goat herds aiming at the identification of the effect of PRNP polymorphisms on TSE susceptibility. According to the author, the results obtained would indicate a higher resistance against clinical disease in goats bearing the H154, D146 or S146 PRNP polymorphism than in goats bearing R154 or N146. A re-analysis of the raw data of the Cypriot study carried out was in broad agreement with the initial analysis presented in the report. However, this can not be extended to infer an association between H154, D146 and S146 PRNP alleles and resistance to infection nor could 1 For citation purposes: Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards on a request from the European Commission