Volume 21, Number 5—May 2015
CME ACTIVITY - Perspective
Recent US Case of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease—Global Implications
Table 2
World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for vCJD and sCJD*
Diagnosis | vCJD | sCJD |
---|---|---|
Possible |
Progressive psychiatric disorder lasting >6 mo with no alternate explanation; at least 4 of the following: early psychiatric symptoms, persistent pain and/or dysesthesia, ataxia, chorea/ dystonia/myoclonus, and dementia; EEG without periodic sharp wave complexes typical for sCJD |
Progressive dementia <2 y duration (typically <6 mo); at least 2 of the following: myoclonus, visual or cerebellar disturbance, pyramidal or extrapyramidal dysfunction, akinetic mutism; EEG atypical (not showing periodic sharp wave complexes) or not done |
Probable | Meets criteria for possible vCJD plus: | Meets criteria for possible sCJD plus: |
EEG not consistent with sCJD; and bilateral pulvinar high signal on MRI of brain OR progressive psychiatric disorder lasting >6 mo with no alternate explanation; and positive tonsil biopsy |
Typical EEG findings (generalized periodic sharp wave complexes at ≈1 Hz); and/or positive 14-3-3 assay in CSF and clinical duration leading to death in <2 y |
|
Definite | Neuropathologic confirmation of vCJD | Neuropathologic confirmation of sCJD |
*See (11,13). CJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; EEG, electroencephalography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; sCJD, sporadic CJD; vCJD, variant CJD.
Page created: April 19, 2015
Page updated: April 19, 2015
Page reviewed: April 19, 2015
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