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TSEs

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), chronic wasting disease (CWD) and scrapie belong to the family of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Clinically affected animals exhibit ataxia and excessive salivation, along with other behavioral disturbances. These animals show a progressive loss of physical condition that precedes death. The modes of transmission and the causative agents of TSEs are poorly understood. The disease is characterized by accumulation of a proteinase K-resistant form of the prion protein (PrPSc) in the medulla oblongata (obex) region of the brain, as well as other tissues (lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, etc.).

Testing Solutions

HerdChek* Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Antigen Test Kit

Availability/Distribution: Worldwide

The IDEXX BSE test kit is an antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrPSc) in bovine postmortem tissues.

BSE Video: Learn how easy it is to run the IDEXX HerdChek BSE Test Kit.
Low-Speed (dial-up modem)

High-Speed (cable/ISDN/T1)

HerdChek BSE Antigen Test Kit Brochure

(2 MB)
HerdChek BSE Antigen Test Kit Protocol

(1 MB)

HerdChek* BSE Antigen EIA:
5 plates (strips), obex samples, very simple sample preparation and EIA protocol—no proteinase K digestion, less equipment required, all room-temperature, less hands-on time, results in 90 minutes†

HerdChek* Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy-Scrapie Antigen Test Kit

Availability/Distribution: Outside the U.S.

The IDEXX BSE-Scrapie Test Kit is an antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrPSc) in bovine, caprine and ovine postmortem tissues.

HerdChek BSE-Scrapie Test Kit Brochure

(3 MB)
HerdChek BSE-Scrapie Test Kit Protocol

(294 KB)
Seprion Capture Technology Abstract

(628 KB)
xChek User-Defined Assay

(848 KB)

HerdChek* BSE-Scrapie Antigen EIA:
5 plates (strips); obex, spleen and lymph node samples; very simple sample preparation and EIA protocol—no proteinase K digestion, less equipment required, all room-temperature, less hands-on time, results in 90 minutes†

HerdChek* Scrapie Antigen Test Kit

Availability/Distribution: U.S. only

The IDEXX Scrapie Test Kit is an antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrPSc) in bovine, caprine and ovine postmortem tissues.

HerdChek Scrapie Test Kit Brochure

(215 KB)
Seprion Capture Technology Abstract

(628 KB)

HerdChek* Scrapie Antigen EIA:
5 plates (strips); obex, spleen and lymph node samples; very simple sample preparation and EIA protocol—no proteinase K digestion, less equipment required, all room-temperature, less hands-on time, results in <2.5 hours for obex;
<4 hours for spleen and lymph

HerdChek* Chronic Wasting Disease Antigen Test Kit

Availability/Distribution: Worldwide

The IDEXX CWD Test Kit is an antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrPSc) in postmortem white-tailed and mule deer retropharyngeal lymph node tissue. Additional species elk claim is in the late stages of development.

HerdChek CWD Information Sheet

(701 KB)
xChek* User-Defined Assay

HerdChek* CWD Antigen EIA:
5 plates (strips), retropharyngeal lymph node tissue samples, very simple sample preparation and EIA protocol—no proteinase K digestion, less equipment required, all room-temperature, less hands-on time, results in less than 3.5 hours

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†Time to complete EIA portion of the test

* xChek, CHEKIT, FlockChek and HerdChek are trademarks or registered trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Pourquier is a trademark of Institut Pourquier, a wholly owned subsidiary of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.