Patent ID: 7094553

Claim:
A method of detecting ungulate PrP Sc , comprising the steps of: providing a sample suspected of containing ungulate PrP Sc and ungulate PrP C ; dividing the sample into a first portion and a second portion; contacting the first portion with a labeled antibody which binds to native ungulate PrP C with a binding affinity of K a of 10 8 l/mol or more wherein the antibody is further characterized by not binding to PrP C of a mammal other than a ungulate; treating the second portion in a manner in which causes any ungulate PrP Sc to assume a confirmation which binds to the antibody which binds to native ungulate PrP C ; contacting the treated second portion with the labeled antibody; determining the level of binding of labeled antibody to PrP C in the first portion; determining the level of binding of labeled antibody to treated PrP protein in the second portion; and comparing the level of binding of labeled antibody to PrP protein in the first portion with the level of binding to labeled antibody in the second portion and thereby determining whether the sample comprises ungulate PrP Sc protein.