vCJD is a rare, degenerative and fatal brain disorder. The only way to confirm vCJD is by a brain biopsy or autopsy. Data from a recent study links the second case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) to a blood transfusion.
The first case of vCJD linked to a blood transfusion was discovered in the United Kingdom. At that time, 17 people who had received blood donated from donors who later developed vCJD were identified. The new case reported is one of those 17 individuals. The person did not die from the disease but rather from other causes.With the current case, researchers identified a protein they say indicates more people could become infected. They feel those with a certain form of a gene may have a longer incubation period before symptoms appear. They say a long incubation period could be the reason no clinical cases of vCJD have been observed.
In another study done researchers point out the protein responsible for vCJD is resistant to conventional sterilizing procedures. However researchers conclude saying that the need for continuing surveillance for vCJD is required .
