[Incidence of potential transmitters of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A study of a collective of potential cornea donors].
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is 1.5 cases per million persons. In addition to familial and sporadic forms, fewer than 5% of cases are due to iatrogenic transmission. Corneal transplantation has clearly been implicated as the origin of CJD in four cases.


METHODS
We examined possible risks factors for corneal transplantation in material from 2545 deceased patients at the University Hospital of Halle.


RESULTS
Two patients had died of CJD or slow virus disease. Also in the 109 identified as being at higher risk of CJD no organs or tissues were harvested.


CONCLUSIONS
We strongly recommend that patients at higher risk group of CJD, patients dying of CNS diseases of unknown origin and cause, and patients dying in psychiatric clinics be excluded from donating organ and tissue.
Bredehorn
T
T
Universitätklinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Strasse 8, 06097 Halle/Saale. timm.bredehorn@dso.de
Wilhelm
F
F
Wiederhold
C
C
Duncker
G I
GI
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors