NR AXOH
AU Heinemann,U.; Meissner,B.; Schenkel,K.; Kretzschmar,H.A.; Zerr,I.
TI Potential transmission of CJD by neurosurgery: Report of a time-space-cluster for neurosurgical intervention
QU International Conference - Prion 2007 (26.-28.9.2007) Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK - Book of Abstracts: Epidemiology, Risk Assessment and Transmission P04.98
IA http://www.prion2007.com/pdf/Prion Book of Abstracts.pdf
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB The infectious nature of the pathological prion protein (PrPsc) has been recognized by investigation of kuru (caused by ritualized cannibalism). Since then several animal studies confirmed the infectious potential. Thus, also transmission by iatrogenic procedures was suspected. The most frequent cause of iatrogenic transmission worldwide has found to be following the administration of cadaveric growth hormones and following Dura mater transplants. Transmission by neurosurgery is assumed, but only once described in the literature for three occasions (Will 1985). In Germany, iatrogenic CJD is a rare phenomenon compared to other countries, and no case caused by growth hormones is known. Thus, we analyzed all confirmed and probable CJD patients and controls for history of brain surgery. The frequency in both groups was similar, and therefore it is no epidemiological risk factor for CJD. In the years 1993 to 2006, eight patients with Dura mater grafts were reported. Further analysis of the CJD patients found time-and-space cluster for three patients treated within 15 months in the same hospital by neurosurgical intervention for traumatic head injury (two patients; february 1983, may 1984), and resection of an astrocytoma (september 1983). This cluster raises the question whether a transmission by neurosurgical instruments might be a potential cause of the infection in these cases, or the patients were infected by Dura mater grafts. A comparison of clinical, neurochemical, and morphological findings will be presented.
AD U. Heinemann, B. Meissner, I. Zerr, Georg-August University, Germany; K. Schenkel, Robert-Koch Institute, Germany; Hans A. Kretzschmar, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Germany
SP englisch
PO Schottland