Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease with a prion protein gene codon 180 mutation presenting asymmetric cortical high-intensity on magnetic resonance imaging

Here we report a genetically confirmed case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with a prion protein gene codon 180 mutation presenting atypical magnetic resonance imaging findings. The present case exhibited an acute onset and lateralized neurologic signs, and progressive cognitive impairment. No myoclonus or periodic synchronous discharges on electroencephalography were observed. Diffusion-weighted images revealed areas of high signal intensity in the right frontal and temporal cortices at onset that extended to the whole cortex and basal ganglia of the right cerebral hemisphere at 3 months. Although the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was initially negative for neuron specific enolase, tau protein, 14-3-3 protein, and abnormal prion protein, the CSF was positive for these brain-derived proteins at 3 months after onset.

Analysis of the compliance and the related influence factors in the follow-up process of surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in China

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a kind of rare, rapidly progressive fatal central nervous system disorders. In China, the surveillance for CJD has started since 2006. As one of the major issues in CJD surveillance, the follow-up process via telephone plays important role in CJD diagnosis and surveillance. Although the follow-up process was conducted by the experiential staffs from CJD surveillance center in China CDC, it is frequently encountered that some interviewed family members do not cooperate well during follow-up. To screen the possible factors influence on the compliances of the interviewees during CJD follow-up, 11 independent variables from patient aspect and 4 variables from interviewee aspect were selected and a questionnaire was prepared. Based on 199 suspected sporadic CJD cases reported to CJD surveillance center in 2013, a telephone-inquiring was conducted and the degree of compliances of the interviewees were given as good, fair or poor. After screened with univariate analysis and evaluated ordinal logistic regression analysis, several indictors, such as the patient gender, CJD diagnosis, numbers of clinical symptoms, continual medical treatment after diagnosis, medical treatment mode, as well as the relationship with the patient and CJD knowledge of the interviewees, showed influence on the compliance in CJD follow-up process significantly. The data here provide for the first time the factors related with the compliances of the interviewed family members of the suspected CJD patients during follow-up process, which supplies useful clue for us to improve CJD follow-up process and increase the capacity of CJD surveillance.