Abstract: A method for the isolation or detection of a prion in a sample is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the disinfection and/or decontamination and/or inactivation of TSE infectivity.

Abstract: A method for the isolation or detection of a prion in a sample is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the disinfection and/or decontamination and/or inactivation of TSE infectivity.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing altered neuropathology in an animal are disclosed, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissue of the animal, analyzing the appearance of the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the tissue is altered relative to corresponding unaltered tissue. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing spongiform encephalopathies in an animal, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissues of the animal, analyzing the appearance of vacuoles in the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the vacuoles in the tissue is altered relative to corresponding spongiform encephalopathy-free tissue. Also disclosed are automated methods for diagnosing altered neuropathy and spongiform encephalopathies.