Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

In terms of the Notifiable Infectious Diseases - data collection by Robert Koch Institute:
The Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) belongs to the group of spongiform encephalopathies, in which the brain disintegrates in a spongiform way. The sporadic form of CJD of people occurs especially in higher age (>60 years). Transmission to humans during of medical treatments is rare. Known causes are injections of human growth hormone or the use respectively transplantation of human cerebral membrane or cornea, which were taken from deceased CJD patients. The variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is probably due to the pathogen of the brain disease "bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)" observed in cattle. The transmission to humans takes places via food. Falsely folded proteins, so-called prions are regarded as cause. There are also indications, that vCJD is also transmittable via flood transfusion. All spongiform encephalopathies are fatal. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available.

Selected information about Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD):

Tables:

• Notifiable diseases (starting from 2001)

Data Sources:

• Notifiable Infectious Diseases - Data Collection by Robert Koch Institute

Definitions:

• Notifiable diseases
• Reported illnesses (notifiable disesases)

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