Detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectivity in extraneural tissues

M E Bruce, I McConnell, R G Will, J W Ironside

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Abnormal accumulations of prion protein (PrP) can be detected in the spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils of patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). Therefore, it has been assumed, but not shown, that these tissues harbour infectivity, which in turn presents the potential for iatrogenic spread through surgery. Here, we show and measure levels of infectivity in spleen and tonsil from two patients with vCJD, by bioassay in intracerebrally inoculated RIII mice. Similar bioassays failed to detect infectivity in buffy coat and plasma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)208-9
Number of pages2
JournalThe Lancet
Volume358
Issue number9277
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jul 2001

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Mice
  • Palatine Tonsil
  • Prions
  • Spleen

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectivity in extraneural tissues'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this