Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in two coworkers.
We report the coincidence of pathologically confirmed sporadic CJD in two unrelated schoolteachers who shared a school wing for 9 months. The first developed ataxia, tremulousness, and dementia 5 months after his last contact with his colleague. Diagnosis of CJD was made 2 months later by brain biopsy. Eight months later, the second teacher developed similar symptoms and died after 9 months. Whether this unique coincidence reflects mere chance or some form of direct viral transmission is unknown. Continued epidemiologic surveillance for any future "coincidence" is warranted.
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged