Eliminating Spiked Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Agent Activity from Heparin

Abstract

US manufacturers, concerned about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), ceased marketing bovine heparin in the 1990s. Recent short supplies of safe porcine heparin suggest that reintroducing bovine heparin might benefit public health. We purified heparin from crude bovine extract spiked with BSE agent, removing substantial infectivity and abnormal prion proteins (PrPTSE).

Keywords

• bovine spongiform encephalopathy
• bovine heparin
• porcine heparin
• heparin
• prions
• prion protein