What is the scientific name of pathogen that causes mad cow disease?

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects cattle. The pathogen that causes BSE is a type of prion, a misfolded form of a normal protein found in the brain and other tissues. Prions can spread from one animal to another through direct contact or by contact with contaminated food or water.

The scientific name of the prion that causes BSE is Bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion protein (PrP^Sc). It is a variant of the normal prion protein (PrP^C), which is found in all mammals. When the PrP^C protein misfolds into the PrP^Sc form, it becomes infectious and can cause BSE in cattle and other animals.

BSE was first identified in cattle in the United Kingdom in 1986. It has since been reported in more than 30 countries around the world, but most cases have been in Europe. BSE is a serious disease because it can cause significant economic losses to the cattle industry and it can pose a risk to human health.