Mad cow is a disorder of the brain caused by prion infection (abnormal protein in livestock). Prions are found in many parts of the body of livestock, such as in the brain, eyes and spinal cord. If it attacks the brain, prions will develop and damage the nervous system.
In the world of medicine, mad cow disease in livestock is known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Whereas in humans, this disease is known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and is found in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a severe brain disorder that can cause fatal effects, even leading to death. The symptoms of this disease are generally similar to symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other brain disorders, but this infection is more aggressive and worsens in a short time.
Mad cow is relatively rare and rarely found. According to research, this disease attacks one in a million people per year and is found in many adults.
In general there are four types of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), namely:
- Sporadic CJD. Is the type of mad cow disease that is most often found. Disorders occur as changes in brain protein into abnormal proteins, called prions. The cause is not known with certainty. Most diseases of this type occur in adults aged 45-75 years. Symptoms begin to develop at the age of 60-65 years.
- Variant CJD (vCJD). Caused by consumption of livestock meat that is positively infected with mad cow disease and contains prions. The incubation period for this type of mad cow disease is very long, can be more than 10 years.
- Familial CJD. Is the type of mad cow disease that is most rarely found. Someone suffers from this disorder because it is passed down in the family. This type attacks every one of the nine million people in the world.
- Iatrogenic CJD. Accidentally transmitted through medical procedures such as medication and surgery. A number of non-sterilized medical equipment can be a medium for transmission of mad cow disease.
Symptoms of Mad Cow Disease
Most people with mad cow disease die within a year of the first symptoms appearing. Generally, mad cow disease is characterized by the appearance of several symptoms below:
- Memory disorders and other brain functions.
- Personality change.
- Balance disorders.
- Talk is unclear and vision is disturbed.
- Experiencing psychological disorders such as anxiety depression.
- Some parts of the body are tingling and difficult to move.
- Having insomnia, dementia, and can continue to become coma.
If not handled properly, mad cow disease can cause complications in the brain. If that happens, someone will experience difficulties in thinking, remembering, isolating themselves from friends and family, and generally becoming indifferent to themselves. The most severe, this disease can cause death.
Causes of Mad Cow Disease
Until now it is not known what causes the change in normal proteins to prion proteins, which can occur in the brain, small intestine, or spinal cord of livestock. This disease can spread from one animal to another or even to humans.
Mad cow is transmitted when infected animals are slaughtered, then the body parts of infected animals are used for animal feed or human consumption. In other words, someone is at risk of contracting mad cow disease if they eat parts of the brain and spine of an infected animal.
Although the exact cause is unknown, genetic factors and age are believed to increase the risk of mad cow disease. Someone with familial CJD can reduce this condition to their offspring. In terms of age, people over the age of 60 are more prone to CJD sporadic.
Diagnosis of Mad Cow Disease
Allegations of mad cow disease are determined based on the development of symptoms and the patient's medical history. The only way to know for sure whether someone has mad cow disease is by brain biopsy through autopsy, which is done if the patient has died.
However, there are various diagnostic procedures that can help diagnose this disease, including:
- Neurological examination. In the early stages, a neurologist (nerve specialist) will check for possible other diseases that have similar symptoms, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or brain tumors.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG). To record brain activity and help detect abnormal electrical activity in CJD sporadic patients.
- Scanning with MRI. Use radio waves and magnetic fields to get a detailed picture of the patient's brain condition.
- Lumbar puncture. Retrieving cerebrospinal fluid samples from the patient's spine area for further investigation.
- Genetic examination. A blood test is performed to detect the potential for mutations in the gene and ensure the existence of hereditary factors.
- Tonsil biopsy. Taking tonsil tissue samples to see the possibility of prions in the tonsils of patients with CJD variants.
Treatment of Mad Cow Disease
There is no specific treatment that has been proven effective for treating mad cow disease. A number of drugs have been studied, but there is no real impact on healing this disease. Treatment with antivirals and antibiotics also does not have a positive influence on the patient's condition.
Treatment that can be given is drugs or medical measures to relieve symptoms that appear in patients. For example, giving an antidepressant to relieve psychological disorders or give clonazepam and sodium valproate to relieve muscle cramps.
Prevention of Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow often occurs spontaneously, making it difficult to prevent. Sterilization to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading throughout the body is also ineffective. Even so, there are several efforts that can be done to reduce the risk of transmission of mad cow disease, including:
Destroying the source of infection. One way to minimize transmission of mad cow disease is to destroy meat carcasses that have the potential to transmit this disease, both to humans and other animals.
Safe blood transfusion. People who are at risk of contracting mad cow disease are prohibited from making blood donations to reduce the risk of transmission.
Limiting imported meat. Especially imported meat from countries prone to mad cow disease, such as Britain, Scotland, and Ireland.
Control of livestock. This method starts from controlling animal feed, treating sick animals, to limiting the consumption of livestock at risk of experiencing and transmitting mad cow disease.