Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Diagnosis

Information about how the disease is diagnosed.

Microscopic examination, along with special staining techniques of selective brain tissue, is the primary laboratory method used to confirm a diagnosis of BSE. When examined under a microscope, the brain tissue of infected cattle has a spongy appearance. In addition, rapid immunoassays, such as Western blot and ELISA tests, have been developed to diagnose the disease.