Clinical characteristics of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021 / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the incidence, epidemiology, and clinical characteristics of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021 and provide a scientific basis for monitoring of CJD in Guizhou Province.Methods:In this retrospective study, epidemiological and clinical information on suspected CJD cases reported by nine hospitals in Guizhou Province was collected and analyzed based on the laboratory test results of cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and skin samples from the patients.Results:From 2017 to 2021, a total of 47 patients with suspected CJD were reported in Guizhou Province, including 22 confirmed patients. Of these patients, 18 patients (18/22) were clinically diagnosed with sporadic CJD, 2 patients (2/22) were clinically suspected of having sCJD, and 2 patients (2/22) were confirmed to have genetic CJD. All patients primarily presented with rapid progressive dementia, and abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings of the head are the main auxiliary examination results (16/20). The positive rate of 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was high (14/21). The blood sample PRNP gene testing revealed that 129 amino acids were M/M homozygous, while 219 amino acids were E/E homozygous. Except for T188K and E200K mutations detected by PRNP gene testing in 2 gCJD cases, no other site mutations were found, and 5 cases were positive for skin PrPSc. Patients' geographical distribution showed no obvious clustering. Patients have a wide range of occupations. The male-to-female ratio was 13:9, with a median age of 64 years. The majority of the patients were Han Chinese, and there was no special epidemiological history. Conclusion:The majority of the confirmed CJD patients in Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021 are sporadic CJD patients, and their residence, occupation, gender ratio, age distribution, and other characteristics are consistent with the incidence patterns of sporadic CJD.

Doença de Creutzfeltd-Jakob esporádica sem demência: relato de caso / Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease without dementia: a case report

Resumo A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob é uma condição rara causada por príons. Embora a forma mais notória da doença seja a infecciosa, a forma mais comum é a chamada esporádica, onde ocorre a transformação de proteínas citoplasmáticas das células gliais em príons. Caracteriza-se por uma demência rapidamente progressiva cujo diagnóstico pode ser feito com grande precisão por meio de sinais clínicos, alterações típicas na ressonância magnética de crânio e o exame Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (Rt-QuIC) no líquido cefalorraquidiano. Relatamos um caso da doença sem distúrbios cognitivos, mas com outros sinais clínicos comuns como anormalidades comportamentais, ataxia, reações extrapiramidais e mioclonia; observamos ainda alterações típicas na ressonância magnética do crânio (alterações de sinal afetando áreas dos lobos parietal e temporal) e um Rt-QuIC fortemente positivo. Entendemos que o relato do caso possa servir de alerta para que outros profissionais de saúde possam reconhecer a doença, aumentando as possibilidades de um diagnóstico mais preciso em casos semelhantes.

Abstract Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare condition caused by prions. Although the infectious form of the disease is the most well-known, the most common form is the so-called sporadic type, where the transformation of cytoplasmic proteins from glial cells into prions occurs. The disease is characterized by rapidly progressive dementia whose diagnosis can be made with great accuracy based on clinical signs, typical changes on magnetic resonance imaging and real-time quaking-induced conversion (Rt-QuIC) testing in cerebrospinal fluid. We report a case of the disease without cognitive disorders in the initial phase, but with other common clinical signs including behavioral abnormalities, ataxia, extrapyramidal features, and myoclonus; typical changes on magnetic resonance imaging of the skull (signal alterations affecting parietal and temporal lobes areas) and strongly positive Rt-QuIC test. This case report can serve to alert other health professionals on recognizing the disease and contribute to a more accurate diagnosis in similar cases.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: literature review based on three case reports / Doença de creutzfeldt-jakob: revisão da literatura baseada no relato de três casos

ABSTRACT. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is one of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies that lead to rapidly progressive dementia. CJD has a low prevalence, and the average survival is only 1 year after the onset of symptoms. As the patients with CJD develop rapidly progressive dementia, associated with myoclonus, visual or cerebellar problems, pyramidal or extrapyramidal features, and akinetic mutism, the hypothesis of CJD must be raised. Classic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are hypersignals in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and cortical region. CJD must be considered a differential diagnosis of other types of dementia, and there is no effective treatment for this disease. In this article, we present a literature review based on the report of three cases of the sporadic form of this disease.

RESUMO. A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (DCJ) faz parte do grupo das encefalopatias espongiformes transmissíveis que levam a um quadro de demência rapidamente progressiva. A DCJ possui baixa prevalência, e a sobrevida média é de apenas um ano após o início dos sintomas. Diante de um paciente com demência rapidamente progressiva, associada a mioclonias, alterações visuais ou cerebelares, sinais piramidais ou extrapiramidais e mutismo acinético, a hipótese de DCJ deve ser levantada. Os achados clássicos na ressonância magnética são os hipersinais em núcleo caudado, putâmen e região cortical. A DCJ deve ser considerada como um diagnóstico diferencial de outros tipos de demência e não existe um tratamento eficaz para essa doença. Apresentamos neste artigo uma revisão da literatura baseada no relato de três casos da forma esporádica dessa doença.

Diagnostic approach in a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease / Abordagem diagnóstica em uma paciente com doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob

ABSTRACT Prion diseases are an important cause of rapidly progressive dementias. Among them, the most common is sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). It is a rare and incurable disease, with rapid progression to death. Objective: To describe the diagnostic approach of a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Methods: The diagnosis is established through the clinical picture associated with characteristic changes in the brain magnetic resonance imaging, the electroencephalogram, and analysis of specific changes in the cerebrospinal fluid. Results: The present report describes the case of a 53-year-old patient in the city of Fortaleza-CE. The diagnosis was made based on the clinical condition and through diagnostic tests, including 14-3-3 protein and RT QUIC analysis. Differential diagnosis was performed with other rapidly progressive causes, such as infectious and immune-mediated diseases. Conclusions: The diagnosis of probable sporadic CJD was established.

RESUMO As doenças priônicas são uma importante causa de demências rapidamente progressivas. Entre elas, a mais comum é a doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (DCJ) esporádica. É uma enfermidade rara e incurável, com rápida progressão para óbito. Objetivo: Descrever a abordagem diagnóstica de uma paciente com doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Métodos: O diagnóstico é estabelecido pelo quadro clínico associado a alterações características na ressonância magnética cerebral, no eletroencefalograma e pela análise de alterações específicas no líquido cefalorraquidiano. Resultados: O presente relato descreve o caso de um paciente de 53 anos na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). O diagnóstico foi feito com base na condição clínica e por meio de testes diagnósticos, incluindo proteína 14-3-3 e análise Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT QUIC). O diagnóstico diferencial foi realizado com outras causas rapidamente progressivas, como doenças infecciosas e imunomediadas. Conclusões: Por fim, foi estabelecido o diagnóstico de provável DCJ esporádica.

Systematic review of pharmacological management in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: no options so far? / Revisão sistemática do manejo farmacológico na doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: ainda sem opções?

Abstract Background The Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a spongiform encephalopathy that manifests as a rapidly progressive dementia syndrome. Currently, CJD has no cure, and many patients die within the first year, but some drugs are being studied as options for managing this condition. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments offered to patients with CJD as a means to increase survival and reduce cognitive deterioration. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using 4 independent reviewers and 1 extra reviewer to resolve possible divergences in the search and analysis of papers indexed in MedLINE (PubMed), SciELO and Lilacs databases. The Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms used were: prion diseases, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, pharmacologic therapy, therapeutics, quinacrine, doxycycline, flupirtine, and pentosan polysulfate, with the Boolean operators AND and OR. This search included controlled clinical trials, uncontrolled clinical trials, and case series published from the year 2000 onwards, in the English language. Results A total of 85 papers were found using the descriptors used. At the end of the selection analyses, 9 articles remained, which were analyzed fully and individually. Conclusions None of the drugs evaluated proved significantly effective in increasing survival in patients with CJD. Flupirtine appears to have a beneficial effect in reducing cognitive deterioration in patients with CJD. However, additional studies are needed to establish better evidence and therapeutic options for the management of patients with CJD.

Resumo Antecedentes A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (DCJ) é uma encefalopatia espongiforme que se manifesta como síndrome demencial rapidamente progressiva. Atualmente, a DCJ não possui cura e muitos pacientes morrem no primeiro ano de doença, mas alguns medicamentos vêm sendo estudados como opções no manejo desta condição. Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia dos tratamentos farmacológicos oferecidos aos pacientes com DCJ no aumento de sobrevida e na redução da deterioração cognitiva. Métodos Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura utilizando 4 revisores independentes e 1 extra para resolver divergências eventuais na busca e na análise de trabalhos indexados nas bases de dados MedLINE (via PubMed), SciELO e Lilacs. Os termos Medical Subjects Heading (MeSH) utilizados foram: prion diseases, creutzfeldt jakob disease, pharmacologic therapy, therapeutics, quinacrine, doxycycline, flupirtine e pentosan polysulfate, com os operadores booleanos AND e OR. Essa pesquisa incluiu ensaios clínicos controlados, não controlados e séries de casos, publicados a partir do ano 2000 no idioma inglês. Resultados Ao todo, foram encontrados 85 trabalhos através dos descritores utilizados. Ao final das análises de seleção, restaram 9 artigos, que foram analisados na íntegra individualmente. Conclusões Nenhuma das drogas avaliadas se mostrou significativamente eficaz no aumento da sobrevida dos pacientes com DCJ. A flupirtina parece ter um efeito benéfico na redução da deterioração cognitiva dos pacientes com DCJ. Entretanto, estudos adicionais são necessários para o estabelecimento de melhores evidências e opções terapêuticas para o manejo dos pacientes com DCJ.

Clinical features in 8 patients of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with positive real-time quaking-induced conversion / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To report 8 patients of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) with real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) positive and analyze their clinical characteristics.Methods:The medical records of patients discharged from Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2018 to May 2021 who were diagnosed with clinically probable sCJD and had RT-QuIC test were retrospectively analyzed. General information (gender, age, initial symptom, main clinical manifestations), accessory examination [brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram, cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein, prion protein gene, antibodies related to autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndrome] were collected. By a telephone-based follow-up survey, data about morality and total duration of course were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to electroencephalogram, 14-3-3 protein, duration of disease and MRI results, and the differences of fluorescence peak time and fluorescence peak value in RT-QuIC results between groups were compared.Results:Among 8 patients, 7 patients had subacute onset and 1 patient had chronic onset. Main clinical manifestations included progressive cognitive decline (8/8), pyramid sign (5/8), walking instability (4/8), mental and behavior disorder (4/8), myoclonus (4/8), akinetic mutism (4/8), dizziness (3/8), limb shaking (2/8), dysarthria (2/8), visual hallucination (1/8), impaired vision (1/8). All cases had abnormal electroencephalogram and typical periodic sharp slow compound waves (PSWCs) were observed in 5 cases. Brain MRI showed high signal intensity in the cerebral cortex and/or basal ganglia on diffusion-weighted imaging in 7 cases, of which 6 cases involved bilateral basal ganglia. Cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein was positive in 2 cases, and RT-QuIC was positive in all cases. The fluorescence peak time of RT-QuIC was shorter in patients with PSWCs [(7.617±2.164) h vs (10.602±2.247) h, t=2.84, P=0.010] and high total MRI score [ (7.600±1.907) h vs (9.760±2.457) h, t=2.26, P=0.032]. Conclusions:RT-QuIC detection is a reliable method for early diagnosis of sCJD. RT-QuIC results were related to PSWCs and degree of MRI involvement.

Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: experiencia de 5 años en un hospital terciario de Chile / Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, experience in 17 patients

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a prion affection that typically produces a rapidly progressive dementia with different neurologic and extra-neurologic manifestations. Aim: To characterize clinical, imaging and electroencephalography findings in patients with a probable CJD. Patients and Methods: A case series study of patients admitted in the Neurology department at a public hospital, between 2014 and 2019. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and electroencephalographic data of patients with probable CJD were analyzed. Results: Seventeen patients aged 63 ± 11 years (53% women) with a probable CJD were gathered. The incidence was 4.7 cases/year per million inhabitants. Twenty four percent of patients had a family history of CJD. The median time between the onset of symptoms and the hospital admission was three months with a survival of four months. The most common clinical manifestations were an amnesic syndrome in 88%, myoclonus in 76%, frontal syndrome and ataxia in 71%. Brain MRI was abnormal in all patients. The preponderant finding was the involvement of the caudate nucleus in 82% of cases. In the EEG, 94% of patients had abnormalities. All had a theta-delta slowing as a base rhythm. The pseudo-periodic pattern was observed in the 29% and status epilepticus in 18%. Conclusions: In this group of patients we observed the heterogeneity of the clinical manifestations of the disease, the frequent imaging and electroencephalographic alterations and the short evolution time leading to death.

Un caso probable de enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jacob de variante esporádica con larga supervivencia en Perú

La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jacob (ECJ) es la enfermedad por priones más común con una incidencia anual de 1 caso por un millón de habitantes. La ECJ tiene un mal pronóstico y el promedio de vida es de 4-6 meses. Solo se han reportado en la literatura 11 casos de ECJ en Perú. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 66 años con el diagnóstico probable de ECJ esporádico con sobrevida de 25 meses. Identificamos que el tiempo entre el inicio de la enfermedad hasta las mioclonías y hasta el mutismo acinético, la ausencia de hallazgos imagenológicos tempranos, el compromiso tardío de corteza y ganglios basales y la implementación de tratamientos de soporte son factores que podrían explicar a la sobrevida prolongada.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the commonest human prion disease with a reported annual incidence rate of one per million worldwide. CJD has a bad prognosis, and the mean length of survival is 4-6 months. Only 11 cases have been reported in the literature from Peru. Thus, we report a case of a 66-year-old male patient with the diagnosis of probable sporadic CJD in whom the survival duration was of 25 months. We identify that the time from disease onset to myoclonus and to reach the akinetic mutism state, the absence of early imaging findings, the delayed cortical and basal ganglia involvement and the supportive therapies implemented were factors that could contribute for the long survival in this patient.

The controversial Third Reich history of Hans Creutzfeldt: was he a supporter or just another adept of the "hand washing policy"? / A controversa história do terceiro reich de Hans Creutzfeldt: seria ele um apoiador ou apenas outro adepto da "política de lavagem das mãos"?

ABSTRACT Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy whose initial description is associated with two German authors, Alfons Maria Jakob and Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt. As polemic as the issue about the Creutzfeldt's merit in the first description of the disease, is his history during the Third Reich. Some evidence pointed to the idea that he was essentially against the Nazi ideology, though some did not. He was an official member of the SS, but his own wife was convicted by a Nazi court. Some authors have argued that Creutzfeldt helped save many patients during Aktion T4 operation, but, in fact, he could have done more. Even during the post-war period, he sent a letter to authorities reporting the name of a Nazi physician who worked as a medical reviewer at the euthanasia court, but he did not proceed any further when his letter initially failed to start an investigation.

RESUMO A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (DCJ) é uma encefalopatia espongiforme transmissível, cuja descrição original está associada ao nome de dois autores alemães, Alfons Maria Jakob e Hans Gerhard Creuztfeldt. Tão polêmica quanto a questão sobre o real mérito de Creutzfeldt na primeira descrição da doença, é sua história de vida durante o Terceiro Reich. Algumas evidências apontavam para a ideia de que ele era essencialmente contra a ideologia nazista, mas outras não. Ele foi um membro oficial da SS, mas sua própria esposa foi condenada por um tribunal nazista. Alguns autores têm argumentado que Creutzfeldt ajudou a salvar muitos pacientes durante a operação Aktion T4, mas, na verdade, ele poderia ter feito muito mais. Mesmo durante o período pós-guerra, ele enviou uma carta às autoridades revelando o nome de um médico nazista que havia se empregado como revisor médico na corte sobre eutanásia, mas ele não insistiu mais quando sua carta inicialmente não desencadeou uma investigação.

Apraxia of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a case report / 中华神经科杂志

The clinical manifestations and examination results of a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) admitted to the Department of Neurology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in August 2020 were analyzed, and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and assessment of apraxia were conducted. The neuropsychological characteristics of apraxia in CJD patient and the progress in the research and evaluation of apraxia were reviewed. The patient was a 65-year-old male with insidious onset and progressive symptoms, whose clinical manifestations were apraxia, rapidly progressing dementia, and extrapyramidal symptoms. The magnetic resonance imaging showed hyper-intense signal in diffusion weighted imaging in bilateral cerebral hemispheres, and 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was positive, which were consistent with the probable CJD diagnostic criteria. The patient exhibited prominent signs and symptoms of ideomotor apraxia. It has been reported in the literature that apraxia can also be the main neuropsychological manifestation of CJD. It is necessary to pay attention to the standard evaluation and timely identification of apraxia in clinical diagnosis.

Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob de origen genético: serie de casos en la Patagonia Argentina / Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome of genetic origin: series of cases in the Argentinian Patagonia

La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) es un desorden neurodegenerativo poco frecuente con una incidencia estimada en 1 por cada 1.000.000 por año, típicamente caracterizado por demencia rápidamente progresiva, ataxia, mioclonus y cambios de comportamiento. Las enfermedades genéticas priónicas se desarrollan debido a mutaciones en el gen de proteína priónica PRNP. Entre el 10 y el 15% corresponden a formas familiares que se transmiten con patrón autosómico dominante con alta penetrancia. La mutación más frecuente a nivel mundial es la E200K (glutamato por lisina). Se reportan cuatro familias con CJD que fueron atendidas en el Hospital Provincial Neuquén en el año 2018. Tres de los cuatro casos índice tenían historia familiar de trastornos neurológicos y psiquiátricos pero estos datos no fueron jerarquizados en la evaluación inicial del caso. Se consideró la consulta genética por la edad temprana de presentación de la enfermedad. En todos los casos la consulta fue solicitada por el neurólogo. Los síntomas iniciales que presentaron los pacientes fueron insomnio pertinaz y depresión con pobre respuesta a la medicación psiquiátrica habitual. En todos los casos la progresión de la enfermedad fue rápida con desórdenes visuales, mioclonías, ataxia, demencia y pérdida del lenguaje. El análisis de los pedigrees permitió identificar ciento cuarenta personas que potencialmente podrían portar el gen y desarrollar la enfermedad en algún momento de la vida adulta. En todos los casos se identificó la mutación E200K. En la región existe una frecuencia aumentada de CJD. Debe ser investigada en los pacientes con síntomas neuropsiquiátricos e historia familiar sospechosa. Los estudios genéticos confirman el diagnóstico en los pacientes y permite identificarlos en individuos en etapa presintomática. Esto plantea un desafío para el asesoramiento genético familiar y para evitar la transmisión iatrogénica del trastorno.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an uncommon neurodegenerative disorder with an incidence of 1 per 1,000,000 in humans per year, typically characterized by rapidly progressive dementia, ataxia, myoclonus and behavioral changes. Genetic prion diseases, which develop due to a mutation in the prion protein gene (PRNP), account for an estimated 10 to 15% of all CJD cases. Familial CJD is transmitted with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with high penetrance. Worldwide, the most common mutation is E200K (glutamate to lysine). We report four families with CJD assisted in Neuquén Hospital in 2018. Three of the four index cases had family history of neurological and psychiatric illness, though data was not taken into consideration at the moment of evaluation of the new cases. The most significant data recorded for a genetic consultation was when the problem had started, and it was required by a neurologist. The initial symptoms were persistent insomnia and depression with poor response to habitual psychiatric medication. Impoverishment is fast with visual disorder, myoclonias, ataxia, dementia and loss of language. Pedigree analysis allowed the identification of 144persons with the gene potential, who can develop the disease at any time in their adulthood. In all cases, mutation E200K was identified. There is a region of increased frequency of CJD. There must be suspicion on patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms and suspected family history(familiar background). Finding of the mutation confirms the diagnosis in patients and allows the identification on pre-symptomatic individuals. Challenge is posed on gene advice and to avoid iatrogenic disorder transmission.

Changes of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease / 中华神经科杂志

protein (T-tau),phosphorylated-tau protein (P-tau) in diagnosis and differentiation of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD).Methods sCJD (according to 2009 Brain criteria,2018 Neurology amended criteria),Alzheimer's disease (AD;the National Institute on Aging at National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer's Association revised guidelines 2011 criteria) and other patients without cognitive impairment,matched for sex and age,in the Department of Neurology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were enrolled.Twelve sCJD patients,49 AD patients and 14 normal controls were enrolled.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected through gravity dropping directly,and further stored in-80℃ and disposed according to widely used standards.The levels of T-tau and P-tau were measured by ELISA.The data on electroencephalogram and neuroimaging findings of sCJD patients were recorded.Moreover,specimens of sCJD patients were sent to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention to test 14-3-3 protein and PRNP genotype.Results Using Mann-Whitney U test,T-tau concentrations were found higher in patients with sCJD (1 211(448,2 227) pg/ml) than in AD patients (549(314,1 078) pg/ml;U=178,P=0.0349),and both groups had higher T-tau than the control group (127(79,192) pg/ml;U=20,73,P＜0.01).The level of P-tau was significantly increased in AD patients (72(58,109) pg/ml) compared to the control group (27(15,42) pg/ml;U=82,P＜0.01),but not in sCJD patients (32(24,47) pg/ml).The T-tau/P-tau ratio was higher in sCJD patients (29.77(20.01,54.53)) than in AD patients (7.45(4.79,10.43);U=87,P＜0.01).Twelve sCJD patients had cotical hyperintensity on diffusion weighted imaging and five had periodic three-phase waves on electroencephalogram.Nine sCJD patients,whose CSF samples were tested in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,carried an M/M genotype at codon 129 and E/E at codon 219.Conclusion The CSF tau level and T-tau/P-tau ratio are significantly increased in sCJD,which may promote the diagnosis and differentiation of sCJD in routine clinical setting.

Changes of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease / 中华神经科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the value of cerebrospinal fluid markers expecially total-tau protein (T-tau), phosphorylated-tau protein (P-tau) in diagnosis and differentiation of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD).@*Methods@#sCJD (according to 2009 Brain criteria, 2018 Neurology amended criteria), Alzheimer's disease (AD; the National Institute on Aging at National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer's Association revised guidelines 2011 criteria) and other patients without cognitive impairment, matched for sex and age, in the Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were enrolled. Twelve sCJD patients, 49 AD patients and 14 normal controls were enrolled. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected through gravity dropping directly, and further stored in -80 ℃ and disposed according to widely used standards. The levels of T-tau and P-tau were measured by ELISA. The data on electroencephalogram and neuroimaging findings of sCJD patients were recorded. Moreover, specimens of sCJD patients were sent to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention to test 14-3-3 protein and PRNP genotype.@*Results@#Using Mann-Whitney U test, T-tau concentrations were found higher in patients with sCJD (1 211(448, 2 227) pg/ml) than in AD patients (549(314, 1 078) pg/ml; U=178, P=0.034 9), and both groups had higher T-tau than the control group (127(79, 192) pg/ml; U=20, 73, P<0.01). The level of P-tau was significantly increased in AD patients (72(58,109) pg/ml) compared to the control group (27(15, 42) pg/ml; U=82, P<0.01), but not in sCJD patients (32(24, 47) pg/ml). The T-tau/P-tau ratio was higher in sCJD patients (29.77(20.01, 54.53)) than in AD patients (7.45(4.79, 10.43); U=87, P<0.01). Twelve sCJD patients had cotical hyperintensity on diffusion weighted imaging and five had periodic three-phase waves on electroencephalogram. Nine sCJD patients, whose CSF samples were tested in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, carried an M/M genotype at codon 129 and E/E at codon 219.@*Conclusion@#The CSF tau level and T-tau/P-tau ratio are significantly increased in sCJD, which may promote the diagnosis and differentiation of sCJD in routine clinical setting.

Enfermedad por priones, encefalopatía espongiforme humana y enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob / Prion induced spongiform encephalopathy of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

The infectious protein or prion (PrPSC) is a transmissible and replicable polypeptide, which arises from an abnormal folding of the PrP protein, by unknown mechanisms and without changes in the primary sequence of its amino acids. Its new spatial disposition arises from the substitution of its alpha helices by beta bands, which increase its structural stability, avoiding its complete proteolysis, resulting in a residual accumulation of prions. These prions induce the misfolding of normal PrP protein, generating their exponential increase, leading to a disturbance of neuronal homeostasis which results in the development of the fatal spongiform encephalopathy of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). This is the most prevalent human prion disease, and 90% of cases are sporadic, suggesting the endogenous genesis of prions. There are different types of prions, identified based on the genetic variance of codon 129 amino acids of the prion protein. Meteonin (M) and Valine (V)), associated with the result of their enzymatic proteolysis, define prions type 1 (21 kDa) and type 2 (19 kDa). The Classical form of CJD produced by MM1 prion occurs in 70% of the cases. The Cerebellar form originated by the VV2 prion occurs in 15% of cases, the form with Kuru plates, associated with the prion MV2 occurs in 5%, and the Vacuolar, related to the MM2 prion occurs in 4%. CJD is always characterized by behavioral, motor, cognitive, and vision alterations and by findings in magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram and cerebrospinal fluid that define each clinical and neuropathological form.

Doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: relato de caso / Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: case report

As doenças priônicas fazem parte do grupo das síndromes de demência rapidamente progressiva com neurodegeneração. Em humanos, a doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob é a mais prevalente. Atualmente, seu diagnóstico pode ser baseado em uma combinação do quadro clínico, ressonância magnética e eletroencefalograma com alterações típicas, juntamente da detecção de proteína 14- 3-3 no líquido cefalorraquidiano. Este relato descreve o caso de uma paciente de 74 anos, natural de Ubá (MG), admitida em um hospital da mesma cidade com quadro de demência de rápida progressão, com declínio cognitivo, ataxia cerebelar e mioclonias. No contexto clínico, aventou-se a possibilidade de doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob e, então, foi iniciada investigação para tal, com base nos critérios diagnósticos. Também foram realizados exames para descartar a possibilidade de doenças com sintomas semelhantes. O caso foi diagnosticado como forma esporádica de doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob. (AU)

Prion diseases are part of the rapidly progressive dementia syndromes with neurodegeneration. In humans, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most prevalent. Currently, its diagnosis may be based on a combination of clinical picture, magnetic resonance imaging, and electroencephalogram with typical changes, along with the detection of 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid. This report describes the case of a 74-year-old woman from the city of Ubá, in the state of Minas Gerais, who was admitted to a hospital in the same city with a rapidly progressive dementia, cognitive decline, cerebellar ataxia and myoclonus. In the clinical context, the possibility of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was raised, and then investigation was started for this disease, based on the its diagnostic criteria. Tests have also been conducted to rule out the possibility of diseases with similar symptoms. The case was diagnosed as a sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. (AU)

Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease (Pro102Leu) Presenting as Rapidly Progressive Dementia

Genetic prion diseases account for about 10-15% of all cases of human prion disease and are caused by mutations in the prion protein gene. Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease is a rare genetic prion disease, which is characterized by slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and the occurrence of cognitive decline in the later stage. P102L is the most common mutation in GSS. We report a patient with a P102L mutation that initially manifested as rapidly progressive dementia without cerebellar symptoms.

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease with V180I Mutation Presented with Broca's Aphasia

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (fCJD) is characteristic with older age onset, relatively low occurrence rate, slower progression and lower possibility of developing myoclonus, cerebellar, pyramidal signs and visual disturbance compared with classical sporadic CJD. We report a case of 75-year-old male patient presented with sudden onset of right side weakness with Broca's aphasia who has been diagnosed with fCJD with V180I mutation. This case indicates that fCJD with V180I mutation can have stroke-like initial presentation.

Doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: forma esporádica: relato de caso em paciente de 81 anos / Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease-sporadic form: case report of 81-year-old patient

As doenças priônicas são neurodegenerativas e possuem longo período de incubação, progredindo inexoravelmente, assim que os sintomas clínicos aparecem. A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob é a mais frequente das doenças priônicas, embora ainda seja rara. O quadro clínico dela é caracterizado por uma demência rapidamente progressiva, sintomas cerebelares e extrapiramidais, e a ressonância magnética, o eletroencefalograma e a análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano possuem achados típicos. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 81 anos que se apresentou com declínio cognitivo rapidamente progressivo seguido, posteriormente, de mutismo acinético. Proteína 14-3-3 foi detectada no líquido cefalorraquidiano. A ressonância magnética revelou hipersinal do núcleo caudado e putâmen em imagem em difusão, T2 e FLAIR.(AU)

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative, and have long incubation periods, progressing inexorably once clinical symptoms appear. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the most frequent of the human prion diseases, although being still rare. The clinical picture of this disease is characterized by a rapidly progressing dementia, cerebellar and extrapyramidal symptoms, and rather specific magnetic resonance (MR), electroencephalography and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. We report the case of an 81-year-old patient who presented with rapidly progressive cognitive decline followed by akinetic mutism. Protein 14-3-3 in cerebrospinal fluid was detected. Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed hyperintensity of the caudate and putamen in diffusion-weighted imaging, T2 Weighted sequences and FLAIR images. Patients who have progressive dementia should be evaluated by means of magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis for Creutzfeldt-Jakob.(AU)

Electroencephalography features and its correlation with megnetic resonance imaging and clinical manifestations in patients with possible or probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze the electroencephalograph (EEG) features of 43 patients with clinically possible or probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its correlation with megnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging and clinical manifestations.Methods All patients diagnosed with suspected CJD who were hospitalized in Xuanwu Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were collected.The clinical data, EEG and MRI imaging features were analyzed retrospectively.Based on the periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC) appearance in EEG results, the patients were divided into typically changed group (TCG), atypically changed group (ACG) and unchanged group (UCG).Age, disease duration, clinical manifestations and MRI features among three groups were analyzed and the correlations between patient′s EEG features and age, disease duration, clinical manifestations or MRI features were explored using spearman method.Results Among the 43 patients with possible or probable CJD disease, 26 were male and 17 were female with an average disease duration of 4 months.The age of onset ranged from 31 to 80 with an average of (58.0±9.8) years old, and 86.0% of patients were 51 years old or above.Clinical characteristics of CJD patients according to occurrence rate were as follows: 35 cases (81.4%) with cognitive impairment, 29 cases (67.4%) with mental and behavior disorder, 28 cases (65.1%) with pyramidal tract damage, 24 cases (55.8%) with cerebellar symptoms, 23 cases (53.5%) with extrapyramidal symptoms,17 cases (39.5%) with myoclonic, 13 cases (30.2%) with dyssomnia, 13 cases (30.2%) with visual disorder and 2 cases (4.7%) with akinetic mutism.Regarding EEG features, 39.53% (17/43) of patients showed typical periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC) (TCG group), 51.2% (22/43) had irregular rhythm and different forms of slow wave (ACG group) and only 9.3% (4/43) had no EEG change (UCG group).The occurrence rate of ribbon sign in MRI was 82.4% (14/17) in TCG group, 77.3% (17/22) in ACG group and none in UCG group.The rates were significantly higher in TCG and ACG group than that in UCG group (both P0.05).Conclusions EEG showed typical changes associated with disease duration in different stages of disease.EEG and MRI are two different means to evaluate different aspects of patients with CJD disease, and combination of two means could achieve better evaluation results.

Positive 14-3-3 and tau proteins in a sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease case and a brief perspective of prion diseases in Colombia / Proteínas 14-3-3 y tau positivas en un caso de enfermedad esporádica de Creutzfeldt-Jakob y una breve reseña de las enfermedades priónicas en Colombia

Prion diseases are rare neurodegenerative disorders occurring worldwide and affecting both humans and animals. Herein, we present the case of a patient diagnosed with definite sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Cali, Colombia. Besides neurological examination, 14-3-3 and tau proteins were valuable tools supporting the diagnosis. We also present a brief perspective of the prion diseases reported in Colombia to date. Although the incidence of prion diseases is unknown in Colombia, our literature review revealed that one case of scrapie in 1981 and 29 human sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have been documented and published in our country.

Las enfermedades priónicas son alteraciones neurodegenerativas raras que ocurren en todo el mundo y afectan tanto a humanos como a animales. En el presente artículo, se reporta un caso con diagnóstico confirmado de enfermedad esporádica de Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Además del examen neuropatológico, las proteínas 14-3-3 y tau fueron herramientas valiosas que ayudaron en el diagnóstico. También, se presenta una breve reseña de las enfermedades priónicas reportadas en Colombia hasta la fecha. Aunque en el país se desconoce la incidencia de las enfermedades priónicas, nuestra búsqueda en la literatura científica reveló informes publicados sobre un caso de tembladera de las ovejas ( scrapie o encefalopatía espongiforme ovina) en 1981 y 29 casos esporádicos de Creutzfeldt-Jakob en el país.