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Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Other Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Please note: This publication has been rescinded

A specialist working party convened by the NHMRC has formulated specific infection control guidelines which are intended to assist health care workers and home carers in implementing more stringent infection controls, which may prevent the inadvertent transmission of CJD.

Summary download document information:

Published year: 1996
Available in print: No
Status: Rescinded

Reference No: IC5
Further information: nhmrc.publications@nhmrc.gov.au

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Synopsis of publication:

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which occurs sporadically at an annual rate of about one care per million. Current research indicates that CJD and other transmissible spongiform diseases are associated with the accumulation of a modified form of a normal cellular protein, called prion protein (PrP). This protein is extremely resistant to decontamination procedures normally employed to inactivate bacteria and viruses. PrP protein is not adequately inactivated by UV or gamma radiation, normal autoclaving (121 degrees C at 15 psi or 101 kPA), gluteraldehyde and other aldehydes, boiling, dry heat sterilisation, ethylene oxide, acetone and alcohols.

Iatrogenic transmission of CJD is rare, but has occurred via corneal graft, dura mater graft, neurosurgical instruments and from CJD contaminated preparations of pituitary hormones.

A specialist working party convened by the NHMRC has formulated specific infection control guidelines which are intended to assist health care workers and home carers in implementing more stringent infection controls, which may prevent the inadvertent transmission of CJD.

The guidelines are based on the consideration of several important factors:

  • the unusual resilience of PrP protein;

  • patient risk status;

  • distribution of infectious agent in various tissues and body fluids; and

  • similarities between CJD and other related animal diseases from which knowledge/experience has been gained

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