What are TSEs and what do they affect?

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of rare, degenerative neurological disorders that are caused by abnormal forms of proteins known as prions. These prions lead to severe damage to brain tissue, resulting in characteristic spongy degeneration of the affected areas. As a result, TSEs significantly impact the brain and can ultimately lead to severe neurological decline and death.

Examples of TSEs include conditions such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in cattle, and scrapie in sheep. These diseases are characterized by long incubation periods and are transmitted through contaminated biological materials, such as infected tissue, making them a significant concern in terms of public health and veterinary medicine.

The other options refer to various types of infections or diseases that do not involve the unique characteristics associated with TSEs, such as the viral or fungal infections listed, which target different bodily systems and structures.