Experiencia con la enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob de un único centro de referencia en México. Análisis de una serie de casos / Experience with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a single referral center in Mexico. Case series

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) es una enfermedad del sistema nervioso central rápidamente progresiva y mortal causada por priones. Objetivo: Presentar las principales características clínicas y paraclínicas de pacientes con probable ECJ en un centro de referencia de América Latina. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados con demencia rápidamente progresiva entre 2014 y 2019. Se incluyeron características clínicas, demográficas, del electroencefalograma, imágenes por resonancia magnética, proteína 14-3-3 y tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET), cuando estaba disponible. Resultados: Veinticuatro pacientes cumplieron con los criterios de ECJ esporádica (75 % mujeres), la edad media fue de 59.29 ± 11.67 años, la duración de la enfermedad desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el ingreso hospitalario fue de 7.41 ± 6.54 meses y las primeras manifestaciones más comunes fueron las alteraciones del comportamiento (41.7 %). Los complejos de ondas delta prevalecieron en el electroencefalograma (54.2 %), la hiperintensidad cortical en la resonancia magnética (83.3 %) y el hipometabolismo frontal en la PET (37.5 %). En el análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo, siete casos mostraron proteína tau total positiva; cinco, proteína 14-3-3 positiva; y tres, proteína tau hiperfosforilada positiva. Conclusiones: Existe importante heterogeneidad clínica en cuanto a los síntomas iniciales. Los hallazgos de las pruebas auxiliares coincidieron con los de otras series.

Abstract Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive and fatal central nervous system disease caused by prions. Objective: To present the main clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with probable CJD in a referral center of Latin America. Methods: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with rapidly progressive dementia between 2014 and 2019. Clinical, demographic, electroencephalogram, magnetic resonance imaging, and 14-3-3 protein characteristics were included, as well as positron-emission tomography (PET) data when available. Results: Twenty-four patients met the criteria for sporadic CJD (75% were women). Mean age was 59.29 ± 11.67 years, while mean disease duration from symptom onset to hospital admission was 7.41 ± 6.54 months. The most common first symptom was behavioral changes (41.7%). Delta wave complexes prevailed (54.2%) on electroencephalogram, cortical hyperintensity (83.3%) on magnetic resonance and frontal hypometabolism (37.5%) on PET. Seven cases showed positive total Tau; five, positive 14-3-3 protein; and three, positive phosphorylated tau on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Conclusions: There is significant clinical heterogeneity regarding initial symptoms. Auxiliary test findings were consistent with those of other series.

Demencia rápidamente progresiva, sobre el reporte de un caso de Creutzfeldt-Jakob / Rapidly Progressive Dementia, on a Creutzfeldt-Jakob Case Report

Resumen La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) es una entidad neurodegenerativa, neuroselectiva y fatal con casi nulo reporte en México. Se presenta el caso de un paciente del sexo masculino de 40 años que inició de padecimiento con alteraciones de la memoria a corto plazo, episodios depresivos y labilidad emocional con tendencia a la irritabilidad, posteriormente se agregó desorientación espacial y disminución de fuerza del hemicuerpo izquierdo, lateropulsión en la marcha ipsilateral e insomnio, por lo cual fue ingresado al hospital por 40 días para abordaje diagnóstico. Durante su estancia hospitalaria se le realizaron diversos estudios siendo los más relevantes para el diagnóstico: resonancia magnética, la cual presentó "cintas corticales" e hiperintensidades en los núcleos de la base, ambos hallazgos altamente sugerentes de la patología, así como proteína 14-3-3 positiva, lo cual reafirmó el diagnóstico. Tras 15 meses del inicio de los síntomas neurológicos presentó un cuadro de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad, por lo cual fue admitido al hospital donde se diagnosticó absceso pulmonar y demencia rápidamente progresiva, finalmente el paciente falleció en el nosocomio por una sepsis de origen pulmonar, 18 meses después del inicio de los síntomas, no se realizó necropsia, esto de acuerdo con los estándares actuales del manejo de la enfermedad.

Abstract The Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a neurodegenerative, neuroselective and fatal entity, that is not usually reported in Mexico. We present a 40-year-old male patient who presents the onset of this illness, with short-term memory disorder, depressive episodes and emotional lability with a tendency to irritability. He also presents space disorientation, decreased strength of the left and lateral hemibody drive in the ipsilateral walk, and insomnia, for which he is admitted to the hospital during 40 days for diagnostic approach. Several studies were carried out during his hospital stay, the most relevant for the diagnosis: a magnetic resonance which presented "cortical ribboning" and hyperintensities in the nuclei of the base, both diagnosis highly suggested the pathology. The positive results to protein 14-3-3 reaffirmed the diagnosis. After 15 months of the onset of neurological symptoms, the patient presented symptoms of pneumonia, which lead to the hospitalization. During his stay, he presented a pulmonary abscess and rapid progressive dementia. The patient died in the hospital by a pulmonary sepsis 18 months after the onset of symptoms. No necropsy was performed, following the current standards for the disease management.

Demencia rápidamente progresiva por neurosífilis (parálisis general). Un caso tratable de demencia / Rapidly progressive dementia due to neurosyphilis (general paralysis). A treatable case of dementia

Resumen Las demencias rápidamente progresivas son cuadros de deterioro en más de un dominio cognitivo con compromiso funcional que progresan en menos de 1 a 2 años; y la neurosífilis es una de las etiologías. La sífilis es una infección bacteriana crónica que causa una serie de cuadros clínicos muy variables durante los primeros 2 a 3 años, seguido de una etapa latente prolongada que puede evolucionar a una etapa de infección terciaria. Luego de un período de años, o incluso décadas, un tercio de las personas con sífilis latente no tratada tendrá manifestaciones clínicas de sífilis terciaria como neurosífilis. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 41 años de edad que consultó por cuadro de postración, precedido por alteraciones cognitivas conductuales progresivas de 18 meses de evolución. Se constató cuadro demencial asociado a parkinsonismo farmacológico secundario a risperidona, por lo que se suspendió dicho tratamiento. Las neuroimágenes mostraron una atrofia cerebral grave; VDRL reactiva en suero y líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR); además de un leve aumento de proteínas en LCR. Se realizó el diagnóstico de neurosífilis tardía iniciando tratamiento con penicilina G cristalina 1 400 000 UI cada 4 h por 14 días con excelente respuesta. Nuestro caso nos permite reflexionar sobre la importancia de solicitar estudios diagnósticos de sífilis en pacientes jóvenes que presentan cuadro de demencia rápidamente progresiva, ya que esta enfermedad tiene un tratamiento que puede revertir parcial o totalmente los síntomas.

Abstract Rapidly progressive dementias are conditions of impairment in more than one cognitive domain with functional compromise that progress in less than 1 to 2 years; and neurosyphilis is one of the etiologies. Syphilis is a chronic bacterial infection that causes a series of highly variable clinical conditions during the first 2 to 3 years, followed by a prolonged latent stage that can progress to a tertiary infection stage. After a period of years, or even decades, a third of people with untreated latent syphilis will have clinical manifestations of tertiary syphilis such as neurosyphilis. We present the case of a 41-year-old man who consulted for prostration symptoms, preceded by progressive behavioral cognitive alterations of 18 months of evolution. A dementia picture was found associated with pharmacological parkinsonism secondary to risperidone, so this treatment was suspended. Neuroimaging showed severe cerebral atrophy; serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reactive VDRL, in addition to a slight increase in CSF proteins. The diagnosis of late neurosyphilis was made and treated with crystalline penicillin G 1 400 000 IU every 4 h for 14 days with an excellent response. Our case allows us to reflect on the importance of requesting diagnostic studies of syphilis in young patients who present a rapidly evolving dementia, since this disease has a treatment that can partially or totally reverse the symptoms.

Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob familiar: a propósito de un caso de demencia rápidamente progresiva en Chile / Creutzfeldt-Jakob familial disease: about a rapidly progressive dementia case in Chile

La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) corresponde una enfermedad por priones, la cual se manifiesta como demencia rápidamente progresiva. Dentro de sus manifestaciones clínicas puede presentar deterioro cognitivo progresivo y mioclonías, entre otros. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer la ECJ de variante familiar, mediante la presentación de un caso clínico. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 67 años, con antecedentes de familiares fallecidos por ECJ, previamente autovalente, que consulta por cuadro de 2 meses de evolución, caracterizado por deterioro cognitivo progresivo, desorientación temporo-espacial, mioclonías y apraxia ideomotora principalmente. Dentro del estudio realizado durante su hospitalización, destaca resonancia magnética de cerebro que describe hiperintensidad de señal bilateral simétrica en ganglios basales y cortezas frontales paramedianas. Además de electroencefalograma (EEG) que muestra descargas agudas de morfología trifásica. Esto junto a la clínica y exámenes complementarios permiten plantear una probable ECJ de variante familiar. Discusión: La aproximación diagnóstica a la ECJ es principalmente clínica, siendo el estudio histopatológico mediante biopsia cerebral el GOLD standard. Dentro de los estudios fundamentales que apoyan el diagnóstico de ECJ, se encuentra la resonancia magnética (RM) y EEG característicos. El diagnóstico de la variante familiar de ECJ se basa en el estudio genético del codón 200 y 129. Se expone una enfermedad no conocida de forma completa, de la cual aún no existen métodos diagnostico totalmente certeros, salvo por la biopsia. Es por esto que los aspectos clínicos son de gran relevancia para su sospecha, representando un desafío para el medico actual.

Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a prion disease, which manifests itself as a rapidly progressive dementia. Within its clinical manifestations may present progressive cognitive impairment and myoclonus, among others. The aim of this paper is to present the familal-type CJD by presenting a clinical case. Case Report: 67-year-old patient with a history of relatives who died of CJD, previously autovalent that consults for a 2 months period characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, time and space disorientation, myoclonus and ideomotor apraxia. In the study carried out during his hospitalization, he was studied with a brain magnetic resonance that describes symmetrical bilateral signal hyperintensity in basal ganglia and paramedian frontal cortex. In addition the electroencephalogram (EEG) showed acute discharges of three-phase morphology. These findings together, with the clinical manifestations and complementary tests allowed to raise a probable familial CJD. Discussion: The diagnostic approach to CJD is mainly clinical, with the GOLD standard being the histopathological study using cerebral biopsy. Among the fundamental studies that support the diagnosis of CJD are the characteristic MRI and EEG. The diagnosis of the familial type of CJD is based on a genetic study of codon 200 and 129. This case exposes a disease of which is not yet fully known which there are still no completely accurate diagnostic methods, except for the biopsy. That is why the clinical aspects are of great relevance to suspect it, representing a challenge for the current doctor.

Revisión de Creutzfeld-Jakob a propósito de dos casos clínicos en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio / Creutzfeldt-Jakob review based on two clinical cases in Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

La enfermedad de Creutzfeld-Jakob es una patología neurodegenerativa fatal e intratable, que hace parte de las denominadas encefalopatías espongiformes y se produce por la acumulación anormal de la PrP (proteína priónica patogénica),denominada PrPsc, a nivel del sistema nervioso central. La enfermedad priónica humana más común es la forma esporádica de la enfermedad de Creutzfeld-Jakob, cuya aparición se ha relacionado con los efectos ambientales desconocidos o los sucesos aleatorios y genéticos, que resultan en la producción espontánea de PrP en el cerebro. A continuación se presentan dos casos clínicos de dos mujeres que consultan al servicio de urgencias del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, en quienes se sospechó encefalopatía rápidamente progresiva, compatible con enfermedad de Creutzfeld-Jakob.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a fatal and untreatable neurodegenerative disorder that is part of the so-called spongiform encephalopathies, which is caused by the abnormal accumulation of PrP protein (called PrPSc) in the central nervous system. The most common human prion disease is sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob, whose appearance has been associated with environmental effects or unknown and random genetic events that result in the spontaneous production of PrP in the brain. In this work we will present two Clinical cases of two woman who visited the emergency room of the hospital Universitario San Ignacio, in which a rapidly progressive encephalopathy caused by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is suspected.

Neurosyphilis Mimicking Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

BACKGROUND: As rapidly progressive dementia (RPD), general paresis and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) may have overlapping clinical presentation due to a wide variety of clinical manifestations. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old man presented with rapid progressive cognitive decline, behavioral change, ataxic gait, tremor and pyramidal signs for 3 months. In addition to these multiple systemic involvements, positive result for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 protein tentatively diagnosed him as probable CJD. However, due to increased serum rapid plasma reagin, venereal disease research laboratory, and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption reactivity in CSF, the final diagnosis was changed to general paresis. CONCLUSIONS: A patient with RPD needs to be carefully considered for differential diagnosis, among a long list of diseases. It is important to rule out CJD, which is the most frequent in RPD and is a fatal disease with no cure. Diagnostic criteria or marker of CJD, such as 14-3-3 protein, may be inconclusive, and a typical pattern in diffusion-weighted imaging is important to rule out other reversible diseases.

Magnetic ressonance imaging in the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: report of two cases / Ressonância magnética no diagnóstico da doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: relato de dois casos

ABSTRACT Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) is a rare condition caused by a pathogenic prion protein that evolves with rapidly progressive dementia and death. The clinical presentation may sometimes be misleading. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) aids diagnosis with patterns that can guide or confirm clinical hypotheses. Two cases of rapidly progressive dementia with ataxia, myoclonus and restricted diffusion on MRI in cortical/basal ganglia are presented to draw attention to CJD.

RESUMO Doença de Creutzfeldt-Jacob (CJD) é uma rara doença relacionada a uma proteína priônica patogênica que evolui com demência rapidamente progressiva e morte. Por vezes, a apresentação clínica é inespecífica e desafiadora. A ressonância magnética contribui para o diagnóstico com padrões de imagem que podem orientar ou confirmar as hipóteses diagnósticas baseadas na clínica. Serão apresentados dois casos de pacientes com a forma esporádica da doença.

Rapidly progressive dementia due to neurosarcoidosis / Demência rapidamente progressiva causada por neurosarcoidose

Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is typically defined as a cognitive decline progressing to severe impairment in less than 1-2 years, typically within weeks or months. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is important because many conditions causing RPD are treatable. Neurosarcoidosis is often cited as an unusual reversible cause of RPD. METHODS: We report two cases of neurosarcoidosis presenting as RPD. RESULTS: Case 1: A 61-year-old woman developed a RPD associated with visual loss. In seven months she was dependent for self-care. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed temporal and suprasellar brain lesions. Treatment with high-dose intravenous prednisolone was associated with partial improvement. Case 2: A 43-year-old woman who was being treated for diabetes insipidus developed a severe episodic amnesia one year after onset of cognitive symptoms. Previous MRI had shown a hypothalamic lesion and she had been treated with oral prednisone and cyclophosphamide. There was reduction of the MRI findings but no improvement in the cognitive deficits. Brain biopsy disclosed noncaseous granulomas and granulomatous angiitis; treatment was changed to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, with poor symptomatic response. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of RPD due to neurosarcoidosis can be challenging when the disease is restricted to the nervous system. In these cases, clinical presentation of RPD associated with neuroendocrine and visual dysfunction, imaging findings showing hypothalamic lesions and, in some cases, brain biopsy, are the key to a correct diagnosis. It is possible that earlier diagnoses and treatment could have led to a better outcome in these patients.

Demência rapidamente progressiva (DRP) é tipicamente definida como um declínio cognitivo que progride para prejuízo funcional severo em menos de 1-2 anos, geralmente em semanas a meses. O diagnóstico rápido e acurado é fundamental, já que muitas condições que levam a DRP são reversíveis. MÉTODOS: Relatamos dois casos de neurosarcoidose que se apresentaram como DRP. RESULTADOS: Caso 1: Uma mulher de 61 anos desenvolveu uma DRP associada a perda de acuidade visual. Em sete meses evoluiu com dependência para auto-cuidado. A ressonância magnética (RM) revelou lesões encefálicas temporais e supraselares. Evoluiu com melhora parcial após tratamento com metilprednisolona intravenosa em altas doses. Caso 2: Uma mulher de 43 anos que estava em tratamento para diabetes insipidus desenvolveu uma amnésia episódica severa um ano após o início dos sintomas cognitivos. A RM anterior mostrava uma lesão hipotalâmica, e ela recebeu tratamento oral com prednisona e ciclofosfamida. Houve redução dos achados da RM, porem sem melhora dos déficits cognitivos. A biópsia cerebral mostrou granulomas não caseosos e angeíte granulomatosa; o tratamento foi modificado para metilprednisolona intravenosa em altas doses, com resposta sintomática pobre. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico de DRP por neurosarcoidose pode ser desafiador quando a doença está restrita ao sistema nervoso central. Nestes casos, a apresentação clínica da DRP associada a disfunção neuroendócrina e visual, exames de imagem com lesões hipotalâmicas e, em alguns casos, a biópsia cerebral são fundamentais para um diagnóstico correto. é possível que o diagnóstico e tratamento precoces poderiam ter trazido melhores resultados nesses pacientes.

Demências rapidamente progressivas. Importância da neuroimagem nas etapas diagnósticas. / Rapidly progressive dementias. Importance of neuroimage in the diagnostic steps.

As demências rapidamente progressivas constituem um grupo heterogêneo de condições clínicas (neurodegenerativas, vasculares, infecciosas, imunomediadas, tóxicas, metabólicas, tumorais, psicogênicas) e cirúrgicas. Avaliação detalhada é imprescindível, devendo ser seguido protocolo extenso constituído por diversas etapas diagnósticas, que compreendem anamnese detalhada, exames clínico e neurológico, e avaliação complementar. É ressaltada a importância da neuroimagem (RM estrutural do cérebro), sendo apresentadas imagens ilustrativas características das principais condições.

Rapidly progressive dementias constitute a heterogeneous group of clinical (neurodegenerative, vascular, infectious, immunomediated, toxic, metabolic, tumoral, psychogenic) and surgical conditions. Detailed evaluation is essential, and an extensive protocol constituted by several diagnostic steps must be followed, which include detailed anamnesis, clinical and neurological examination, and complementary assessment. The importance of neuroimage (structural MRI of the brain) is highlighted, and illustrative images characteristic of the main conditions are presented.

Demências rapidamente progressivas. Revisão atualizada e etapas diagnósticas / Rapidly progressive dementias. Updated review and diagnostic steps

As demências rapidamente progressivas (DRPs) constituem um grupo heterogêneo de condições clínicas (neurodegenerativas, vasculares, infecciosas, imunomediadas, tóxicas, metabólicas, tumorais, psicogênicas) e cirúrgicas. Suas principais características são início e evolução rápidos, com comprometimento cognitivo, comportamental, psicológico e motor. Avaliação detalhada é imprescindível, devendo ser seguido protocolo extenso, de modo sistematizado, compreendendo anamnese minuciosa, exames clínico e neurológico e complementares de sangue, urina, LCR, EEG, neuroimagem e eventualmente biópsia cerebral. A investigação deve ser rápida, já que podem ser encontradas causas reversíveis, e uma demora pode levar a morbidade ou mortalidade. As DRPs representam um desafio clínico complexo, mesmo para os profissionais mais experientes.

Rapidly progressive dementias (RPDs) constitute a heterogeneous group of clinical (neurodegenerative, vascular, infectious, immunomediated, toxic, metabolic, tumoral, psychogenic) and surgical conditions. Their main characteristic is rapid start and course with cognitive, behavioral, psychological and motor impairment. Detailed evaluation is essential, and an extensive protocol that must be followed in a systematic way, including a meticulous anamnesis, clinical and neurological examination, and complementary assessment, including blood, urine, CSF, EEG, neuroimaging exams, and eventually brain biopsy. The investigation must be fast, considering that reversible causes may be found, and a delay can lead to morbidity ou mortality. The RPDs represent a complex clinical challenge, even for the most experienced professionals.

Demências rapidamente progressivas: uma revisão breve / Rapidly progressive dementias: a brief review

As demências rapidamente progressivas (DRPs) constituem um grupo heterogêneo de condições que evoluem de modo rápido, com comprometimento cognitivo, comportamental, psicológico e motor. Compreendem condições clínicas (neurodegenerativas, imunomediadas, vasculares, infecciosas, metabólicas, tóxicas, tumorais, psicogênicas) e cirúrgicas. Anamnese e exame clínico detalhados devem ser seguidos por avaliação paraclínica sistematizada, que compreende exames laboratoriais (sangue, urina, LCR), EEG, imagem (craniana e sistêmica) e, quando essas investigações não são esclarecedoras, e diante de uma possibilidade de condição tratável e potencialmente reversível, deve ser considerada a decisão sobre uma biópsia cerebral. Outras condições podem ainda ser definidas, algumas vezes com vantagens clínicas, epidemiológicas e em relação à família. É necessária uma investigação detalhada e rápida, já que causas reversíveis podem ser encontradas, e uma demora pode levar a sequelas irreversíveis. As DRPs representam um desafio, mesmo para os profissionais mais experientes.

Rapidly progressive dementias (RPDs) form a heterogeneous group of conditions that course in a quick way with cognitive, behavioral, psychological and motor impairment. They include clinical (neurodegenerative, immunomediated, vascular, infectious, metabolic, toxic, tumoral, psychogenic) and surgical conditions. Detailed anamnesis and clinical examination should be followed by a systematic paraclinical evaluation, including laboratory exams (blood, urine, CSF), EEG, imaging (cranial and systemic) and, when these investigations are unrevealing, and facing a possibility of a treatable and potentially reversible condition, the decision of a brain biopsy should be considered. Other conditions can be defined, sometimes with clinical, epidemiological and familiar-related advantages. A quick and detailed investigation is necessary, considering that reversible causes may be found, and that a delay can result in irreversible sequels. RPDs represent a challenge, even for the most experienced professionals.