Prion-Associated Disease
Contents
Acceptability at Recruitment
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Acceptability at CT / Work-Up
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Individual at Risk
Recipient
Explanation of Condition
Prions are a newly identified type of infectious agent, which (unlike any other type of micro-organism) do not carry any DNA or RNA. They cause a group of diseases known as spongiform encephalopathies, which include scrapie in sheep, mad cow disease (BSE) in cows, and CJD in humans.
In the 1990s, a new form of CJD (variant CJD) was identified, and has since been proven to be a human form of BSE, contracted through eating infected beef products.
Variant CJD has not, to date, been transferred by stem cell donation, but a number of cases have been transmitted by blood transfusion. CJD can also be transferred through transplant of ocular (eye) or brain (dura mater) tissues, as well as hormones derived from pituitary tissue.
See also Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Guidance
Risk of transmission to recipient.
Donor Affected
Unacceptable if suffered from a prion-associated disease
Family History
Unacceptable if two or more blood relatives have, or have been told by a geneticist that they may be at risk of developing, a prion-associated disease.
Other family history should be discussed with the medical officer and transplant centre, and the opinion of a geneticist requested if necessary.
Ocular tissue or dura mater graft recipient
Unacceptable if every received an ocular tissue or dura mater graft. Any other transplants should be discussed with the medical officer.
Pituitary derived hormone therapy
Unacceptable if ever received hormones derived from human pituitary tissue.
Pseudonyms or Related Conditions
Sporadic, familial and variant Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (CJD)
Gerstmann- Sträussler-Scheinker Disease
Fatal Familial Insomnia
Kuru
Version
Version 1, Edition 1
Date of Last Update
15th June 2012