In 1999, a diagnostic test allowed quick identification of Bovine Spongicorm Encephalopathy (BSE, also known as ‘mad cow’ disease) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). In the case of people, the detection of infection can avert the introduction of potentially infectious blood into the blood supply system and can be used to direct appropriate treatment.

In addition, the use of diagnostic tests for mass screening has epidemiological utility since it can reveal the extent and distribution of a prion-related disease within a herd or population and can be used to monitor the effects of animal and public health intervention strategies.