A PCR-based test for species-specific determination of heat treatment conditions of animal meals as an effective prophylactic method for bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Efficiency of animal waste sterilization prescribed by the European Union and Switzerland was verified using a pork-based ELISA and two PCR assays (tRNAGlu/cytochrome b specific for vertebrates; bovine species-specific cytochrome b mitochondrial genome). A total of 204 samples of feedingstuffs were analysed including reference materials subjected to known heat treatments. Both ELISA and PCR assays were able to detect poorly heat-treated feedingstuffs if there was enough pork-based material present. The proposed species-specific PCR test, however, showed a higher sensitivity and specificity as it specifically detected bovine material. Nevertheless, the PCR assay will not detect bovine material in properly heat-treated feeds as the DNA is too fragmented. It is, however, very useful as a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for the routine screening of animal meals with regard to prophylaxis of BSE.