Human-to-Human 'Mad Cow'-Like Infection Possible

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There was, however, a gradation of susceptibility. Most mice that were infected were MM, followed by MV, who were infected at about the same rate but developed the infection later. Transmissions were much lower among VV mice, indicating that this variant might be protective.

"If this is true in humans, there may be as many MV people incubating but they might develop the disease later or might never develop the disease, but we have to count on the fact that there might be MV people who are infected and are subclinical [no symptoms] carriers," Lasmezas said.

One positive note: The study mice were infected directly with brain material, meaning the findings may be less relevant and less alarming to humans.

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"This was brain-into-brain and that doesn't occur very often," said Dr. Carol K. Petito, professor of pathology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "It's a mistake to say this never will happen... [but] human-to-human transmission will be less efficient."

More information

Visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine to learn more about Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (www.nlm.nih.gov ).

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