On Halloween, the Park Rapids Enterprise published a letter-to-the-editor by Fosston Republican Steve Green, Let's not limit our options on CWD.
The letter centered on a theory by neurologist Frank Bastian that chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease, and othe transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disorders are caused by bacterial infections, rather than misfolded proteins called prions.
We had been researching the claims, but a letter from University of Minnesota Regents professor Michael Osterholm, Rep. Green references debunked CWD research, sums up the case against Bastian's theory:
Rep. Steve Green, in the Oct. 31 online edition of the Park Rapids Enterprise, discussed his recent attendance at a joint House and Senate Environmental and Natural Resources Committee meeting on chronic wasting disease (CWD). He concluded that the main takeaway is that there are still far more questions than answers on this issue.
Rep. Green is right on the mark with regard to that fact. However, his conclusion that researchers at the University of Minnesota are unwilling to consider the findings of Dr. Frank Bastian, former neuropathologist at Louisiana State University, with regard to the cause of CWD is not the case.
Green wrote, “Our flagship institution has chosen to not explore what could be a simple and less expensive solution to CWD that is within reach.” Unfortunately, Dr. Bastian joins a historical list of other misguided scientists who report findings regarding new infectious diseases that are just plain wrong. Dr. Bastian’s suggestion that a type of bacterium, Spiroplasma, is the cause of CWD has been studied vigorously by multiple leading infectious disease groups in the U.S. and Canada, and his conclusions do not hold up under the rigor of well-conducted scientific research. Rather, the data supporting the role that a prion, a type of infectious protein similar to the cause of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (i.e., “mad cow” disease), causes CWD are overwhelming.
Unfortunately, as Dr. Bastian’s research is discredited by these studies, he comes up with new reasons that all of the other scientists in the world trying to replicate his work are in error. . . .
I have detailed in my 2017 book, “Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs,” other similar situations in which lone individuals report to have discovered the cause of new disease conditions, but their findings could not be replicated by any other reputable scientist. Responding to persons like Dr. Bastian is not a new problem to those of us tackling serious emerging infectious diseases.
We have a number of challenges – both scientifically and from a public policy perspective – as to how to respond to CWD. I commend the Minnesota Legislature for its recent support of work on CWD, both at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the University of Minnesota.
If we are not able to do more to limit the spread of CWD among deer and elk in North America, the impact this will have on our essential need for deer hunting as a critical wildlife management tool could be significant.
I also fear the possibility that one day the CWD prion infection in these animals might be transmitted to humans through eating infected venison.
It’s essential that we stay focused when addressing CWD. Dr. Bastian’s work is an irrelevant distraction.
For factual, in-depth information on CWD, the center that I direct at the University of Minnesota has created a CWD Resource Center (www.cidrap.umn.edu/cwd) that I encourage Rep. Green and all interested parties to explore.
Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, is a Regents professor; McKnight Endowed Presidential Chair in Public Health Director; Center for Infectious Disease research and policy distinguished university teaching professor, environmental health sciences, School of Public Health; professor, Technological Leadership Institute College of Science and Engineering adjunct professor, Medical School, University of Minnesota.
Osterholm labels Bastian's work a distraction, while Krysten Schuler at the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab made the case for the Prion Hypothesis for CWD: An Examination of the Evidence:
As a wildlife disease ecologist, I’ve been asked my opinion on the scientific support for prions as the agent of chronic wasting disease (CWD). I have been studying CWD for two decades. The spiroplasma (bacteria) theory1 has been around for years, but has recently resurfaced. I’ll lay out the many reasons why prions are implicated in all transmissible spongiform encephalopathy diseases (TSE). No other infectious agent has the same amount of evidence.
First off, what is a prion? Dr. Stanley Prusiner first described prions in 19822 and coined the term prion as shorter version of “proteinaceous infectious particle.” [Smart guy - he won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1997.] A prion is a cellular protein normally produced by all mammals. In this normal form, prions are relatively unstable and are broken down quickly by proteases (enzymes that break down proteins and peptides). Disease happens when the protein changes shape and are no longer broken down by proteases. Prions ends up clumping together and poisoning brain cells, causing them to die and form holes in the brain3.
There are many different TSE diseases. Some are genetic and happen along familial lines, some apparently occur spontaneously (ex. Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in humans), some are caused by feeding behavior (ex. “mad cow” disease), but scrapie in sheep and CWD in deer, elk, moose, and reindeer are the only two TSEs that are contagious (i.e., transmissible via contact). All prion diseases have several characteristics in common that do not fit with a bacteria or virus as the source of the infection.
Lines of evidence:
1. There is not an immune response to CWD like other disease agents4.
When a foreign virus or bacteria enters the body, the immune system starts to fight it. There is inflammation and fever. The body produces antibodies to the disease agent. We do not see these processes in CWD.
2. Prions are resistant to normal disinfection procedures that kill bacteria and viruses.
Prions can withstand high temperatures, radiation, and chemicals (including formalin) that would normally kill bacteria and viruses. Commonly used methods, such as autoclaving, decreases infectivity but does not completely eliminate it. Harsh chemicals, like bleach, must have an extended contact time to break down the protein.
3. Prions can last in the environment for years.
Multiple studies looking at CWD and scrapie have attempted to “clean” pastures and then restock with animals5. This involves decontaminating all equipment or structures and leaving the area fallow for two or more years. Invariably, new animals end up becoming diseased because prions can bind to steel and soil particles, where they remain infectious. Scrapie persisted in infected sheep paddocks in Iceland for at least 16 years6.
4. Genetic studies have shown that “knock-out” animals that do not produce normal prions do not get TSEs.
Genetically engineered animals that lack the prion gene have been produced in a variety of species from mice to cattle. These animals do not produce normal cellular prion protein, and therefore, are not susceptible to TSEs7.
5. Synthetic “artificial” prions have been created and they cause TSE-like disease.
Most studies use brain material as the source of prions for infection trials, which could potentially transfer other disease agents. However, researchers created prions in E. coli bacteria and produced disease in mice, which is compelling evidence that prions are infectious proteins8.
6. Bacteria have not been identified in diseased animal tissues using a variety of testing methods9,10. DNA or RNA from a virus or bacteria has not been identified consistently in diseased animals.
Examining infected tissues under a microscope has not demonstrated that bacteria are present. If spiroplasma was the cause, genetic sequencing should be able to find the DNA or RNA for that bacteria in samples. Highly sensitive tests used only to amplify proteins has generated infectious prions11. Originally, Dr. Prusiner examined scrapie and found if he inactivated all DNA or RNA in the source material, when he infected experimental animals they still ended up diseased. If he got rid of all the proteins in the source material, the disease agent was no longer infectious2.
While prions still are challenging and there is still plenty to be learned, we would be taking a step backwards in the fight against CWD if we are distracted by nay-sayers. Hundreds of scientists are investigating prion diseases. The evidence is compelling.
“Based on the available data, the idea that prions consist of viruses or any other type of conventional micro-organism is simply untenable” Soto 201112. “These findings have proven beyond any doubt that the prion hypothesis was indeed correct. This does not mean that everything is known regarding prions. On the contrary, there are many outstanding questions still unanswered.”
While the public may become frustrated with the unanswered questions around CWD, the one thing we should agree on is stopping prions from being introduced to new areas. Prevention is our best strategy.
While this is not a comprehensive list of literature, it does provide background on some key points if you are interested in learning more:
- Bastian FO. The Case for Involvement of Spiroplasma in the Pathogenesis of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. 2014;73(2):104-114.
- Prusiner SB. Novel Proteinaceous Infectious Particles Cause Scrapie. 1982;216(April).
- Sigurdson CJ, Aguzzi A. Chronic wasting disease. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007;1772(6):610-618. doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2006.10.010.
- Zabel MD, Avery AC. Prions — Not Your Immunologist’s Pathogen. 2015:1-7. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004624.
- Hawkins SC, Simmons H, Gough KC, Maddison BC. Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following cleaning and decontamination. Vet Rec. October 2014:1-5. doi:10.1136/vr.102743.
- Georgsson G, Sigurdarson S, Brown P. Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years. J Gen Virol. 2006;87(12):3737-3740. doi:10.1099/vir.0.82011-0.
- Richt JA, Kasinathan P, Hamir AN, et al. Production of cattle lacking prion protein. 2010;25(1):1-15. doi:10.1038/nbt1271.Production.
- Legname G. Synthetic mammalian prions. 2014;673(2004). doi:10.1126/science.1100195.
- Alexeeva I, Elliott EJ, Rollins S, Gasparich GE, Lazar J, Rohwer RG. Absence of Spiroplasma or Other Bacterial 16S rRNA Genes in Brain Tissue of Hamsters with Scrapie. 2006;44(1):91-97. doi:10.1128/JCM.44.1.91.
- Hamir AN, Greenlee JJ, Stanton TB, et al. mirum and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME). 2011:18-24.
- Kim J, Cali I, Surewicz K, et al. Mammalian Prions Generated from Bacterially Expressed Prion Protein in the Absence of Any Mammalian Cofactors. 2010;285(19):14083-14087. doi:10.1074/jbc.C110.113464.
- Soto C. Prion Hypothesis: The end of the controversy? 2012;36(3):151-158. doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2010.11.001.Prion.
We did speak to Dr. Bastian, who shared a number of articles along with his claims that the prion theory had not led to any breakthroughs, similar to the talking points in this article. However, Bastian himself has in the past claimed that he is on the verge of defeating TSEs. One example, the 2004 article, Lone Wolf Tackles Mad Cow, published in house by Tulane University:
Bastian discovered that scrapie antibodies react when exposed to spiroplasma proteins. He found spiroplasma DNA in the brains of scrapie-infected sheep, in the brains of deer infected with chronic wasting disease and in human brains infected with CJD. It is not present in normal brains. More recently, he found that patients infected with CJD produce antibodies against spiroplasma.
According to Bastian, this is evidence that his theory works in practice, and he is using it as a basis for a test for the diseases, a vaccine and possibly a treatment. In addition, researchers in Japan have shown that bacteria can interact with prions in a way that suggests that prions are receptors that play a role in the disease process but are not the cause.
Because cases of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are increasing in animal populations in Europe and North America and pose a growing threat to humans, Bastian believes it is a mistake to allow researchers working on the existing prion theory a near monopoly on research dollars in the field. Several years ago he testified before Congress, asking for more funding for research outside of the prion paradigm. His words were not taken as seriously as he would have liked, but his current work is being supported by an NIH grant.
Bastian brought his work to Tulane three years ago, motivated by a desire to return to New Orleans, which is home to his wife. Since then he's been pleased with the support he's found at Tulane and the help from colleagues in other departments. He thinks Tulane contains the expertise and the resources necessary to develop a test and vaccine for TSE, which could potentially be a great credit to Tulane.
That was 15 years ago. Bastian received NIH funding, but his promise of "a test for the diseases, a vaccine and possibly a treatment" has not been fulfilled (ironic for a guy who scolds other researchers for not coming up with tests, treatment or vaccines). Nor have other researchers been able to replicate his results.
But his theory pops up when TSE disorders make the news. Take the 2017 story in the Baton Rouge Acadian Advocate, AgCenter scientists makes historic CWD breakthrough. Bastian and LSU, where he served as a gratis professor, have parted company. He's found a fiscal agent to funnel money to rented lab space at the University of New Orleans' Advanced Materials Research Institute. UNO's press office confirmed the association; Bastian noted he has applied for adjunct professor status.
In Old Fears, New Hype Fuel CWD News, Patrick Durkin, Green Bay Press Gazzette (reprinted by Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies) noted at the time of the latest "breakthrough":
Why do I ask? Because just as Osterholm’s prediction started fading from Facebook, a hunters’ group from Pennsylvania – the United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania– unleashed an even larger email storm and viral video link claiming a cure for CWD.
The video features the USP’s John Eveland, a longtime critic of Pennsylvania’s deer-management program. Eveland claimed CWD isn’t caused by prions – rogue proteins — after all. Eveland blamed a Spiroplasma bacterium, and referenced work by Frank Bastian, a researcher at Louisiana State University. Bastian thinks prions are just the byproducts of a bacterial infection and, therefore, CWD could be cured with vaccines and antibiotics.
The miraculous news didn’t end there. Eveland and the USP laid out a 10-year plan for Bastian’s breakthroughs, beginning with a handy test-kit hunters could use to check deer for CWD while field dressing it. The test-kit could be ready within 18 months, presumably in time for Pennsylvania’s 2020 hunting seasons.
Eveland also said Bastian’s pending vaccines will be as significant as Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine of 1955, and predicted a Nobel Prize for Bastian’s ambitious efforts, which include …
— CWD vaccines for captive deer and elk, and then wild deer and elk, within three years.
— Tests to cure scrapie in sheep, mad-cow in cattle, and prion diseases in wildlife within five years.
— Tests to cure Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans in five to six years.
— Tests to cure ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases in six to seven years.
— Antibiotics and vaccines to cure all human prion diseases in eight to 10 years.
To ensure those miracles happen, the USP launched a “Go-Fund-Me” campaign to raise $250,000 to support Bastian’s projects.
Hmm. If mankind is a decade away from curing ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and all forms of prion-triggered diseases in humans and other mammals, would we leave all the glory and responsibility to a group of disgruntled Pennsylvania hunters and a Go-Fund-Me campaign? Even if my skepticism is misplaced, shouldn’t they tackle the human ailments before fine-tuning CWD test-kits for deer hunters? . . .
The National Deer Alliance and 10 other hunter-based conservation organizations issued a press release Tuesday supporting the PennsylvaniaGame Commission’s CWD strategies, including this rebuttal to claims made by the USP and Bastian:
“There is international agreement among scientific agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that prions are believed to be the infectious agent that causes (CWD),” said Krysten Schuler, a wildlife-disease ecologist and co-director of the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. “Viruses and bacteria are not supported as potential causes of (CWD) for a number of reasons, which include lack of an immune response, resistance to normal disinfection procedures, environmental persistence for years to decades, and intensive genetic study.”
It's also curious that Green should protest the lack of consideration of Bastian's work, when he might have seen October's joint committee hearing as a chance for Dr. Bastian to speak for himself. We checked with House Environment and Natural Resource Division Chair Rick Hansen, DFL-S. St. Paul, who said that Green was free to distribute Bastian's journal articles to his legislative peers and enter them into the record.
Moreover, since public testimony was taken, Bastian could have testified on behalf of his research.
Speaker at Minnesota Deer Farmers Association Winter Banquet
Speaking on the phone with Dr. Bastian, who had been given our number by the UNO, we asked about something Green wrote about in his letter to newspapers in his district:
I am told Dr. Bastian offered to come up and be a guest speaker at one of the classes at the U of M (with an association paying his expenses), but nobody took him up on it. I also am told he offered to “co-op” his work with a grad student and walk him through the whole process. This could be an incredible project for a student – potentially Nobel Prize-winning stuff – but, again, no takers.
Dr. Bastian did say that he had met a University of Minnesota employee (he wasn't clear in his remarks whether this unnamed individual was a staffer or member of the professoriate) at a meeting in Minnesota and they communicated informally following this introduction.
While Bastian remembered his hosts as a group with the word "Whitetails" in its title, we believe the Minnesota event at which he spoke was the late March 2019 Winter Banquet of the Minnesota Deer Farmers Association. Here's a screenshot of the program from the MDFA website:
While Dr. Bastian's name is misspelled on the program, he confirmed that this was the event in Minnesota at which he spoke earlier this year. Essentially, he was the guest of the industry which had discouraged CWD action in the legislature since the Pawlenty years.
We wonder if Green isn't serving science but rather hunting for some regulatory capture on behalf of the captive deer industry.
Bastian also watched the October 29 committee hearing we posted about in VIDEO: Mnleg joint environment committee hears updates on Chronic Wasting Disease efforts and in a second call, told us that he agrees with Green's insistence that his work be reviewed by scientists at the University and government agencies (presumably the Board of Animal Health, the Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture).
Of course. There's the possibility that they've read the papers and learned of attempts to replicate the research. Bastian also scoffed at Minnesota's CWD efforts as "having no plan." For that we, recommend the Joint: House and Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance hearing files:
Committee Documents:
ENRTF Funding for CWD Handout
Agenda
DNR MPCA CWD Adopt a Dumpster Presentation
DNR CWD Presentation
BAH Written Testimony
BAH Handout
U of M CWD Presentation
U of M CWD Handout
U of M CWD Handout #2
Handout Article
ENRTF Deer Movement Work Plan
ENRTF U of M Diagnostic Test Work Plan
Two final points
We find it difficult to take Green seriously on this issue, given how he was part of the Republican-led Environment & Natural Resource committee that stalled on hearing CWD bills-- only until shamed into doing so by the report on oversight of deer farms and CWD by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
Instead, Green governed cute by having a feral swine bill heard that was written by his grandson (nevermind that feral swine don't cavort through Minnesota's hunting lands, while hollow-brained deer do). Read the post from 2018: Too cute: if only Steve Green could have come up with a real defense against feral swine. Jamie BEcker-Finn's CWD bill? Never got a hearing.
As for Bastian, we think he's more conspiracy theorist in much of his narrative than heroic scientist, since replication of findings is a basic standard in verifying scientific research.
Our creative writing spider senses also perked up when he repeatedly said "Science is common sense." As a poet and upper Midwesterner, we think there's a better analogy. Common sense is what helps us determine whether it's safe to walk on lake ice. Science is what tells us why and how the lake freezes over.
Photo: Bucks locking antlers. Not a good analogy for this legislative scuffle.
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For that we recommend he read the
Who is ADM, as in ADM Animal Health, ADM Animal Nutrition,-on the speaker list for the Deer Farmers Assoc.? Archer Daniel's Midland? And they don't care that they are presenting with someone who is advocating against public health? For example, they hold a Phd in Animal health, yet do not object to being on the same list with this guy? Wow. Talk about corporate responsibility.
Posted by: Laurie | Nov 13, 2019 at 05:03 PM