Since 1996 with the recognition of a variant form, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has become more prominent in the medical literature. Of particular interest to anaesthetists is the risk of iatrogenic spread of the disease.
In this article, the relevant literature is reviewed and the experience within New Zealand examined. The presentation, pathology and incidence of the disease is reviewed and the current guidelines for the preoperative management of patients with known or suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are outlined.
WillR.G., IronsideJ.W., ZeidlerM., CousensS.N., EstibeiroK., AlperovitchA.A new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the UK. Lancet1996; 347: 921–925.
2.
Ministry of Health.Guidance from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens’ Ministry of Health. Guidance from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens’ TSE working group Part 4. From http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/acdp/tseguidance/Index.htm Accessed November 2008.
Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.Infection control in anaesthesia. Anaesthesia2008; 63: 1027–1036.
5.
The University of Edinburgh.The National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit (NCJDSU). From http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk Accessed November 2008.
6.
StewartL.A., RydzewskaL.H.M., KeoghG.F., KnightR.S.G.Systematic review of therapeutic interventions in human prion disease. Neurology2008; 70: 1272–1281.
7.
FarlingP., SmithG.Anaesthesia for patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A practical guide. Anaesthesia2003; 58: 627–629.
8.
BrownP., PreeceM., BrandelJ.P., SatoT., McShaneL., ZerrI.Iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease at the millennium. Neurology2000; 55: 1075–1081.
SmithG.Variant CJD. What you need to know at present. Royal College of Anaesthetists Bulletin2001; 7: 302–304.
13.
WHO manual for surveillance of human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.WHO manual for surveillance of human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. From http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241545887.pdf Accessed November 2008.
14.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2006). Patient safety and reduction of transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) via interventional procedures. From http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/ip/IPG196guidance.pdf Accessed November 2008.
RowleyE., DingwallR.The use of single-use devices in anaesthesia: balancing the risks to patient safety. Anaesthesia2007; 62: 569–574.
19.
RichardsE., BrimacombeJ., LaupauW., KellerC.Protein cross-contamination during batch cleaning and autoclaving of the ProSealTM laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia2006; 61: 431–433.
