Irrespective of the actual explanation for these differences, the presence of vCJD agent in peripheral tissues of patients during preclinical and clinical stage of the disease indicates the potential for
iatrogenic transmission of this fatal neurologic condition by surgical procedures.
Although there are no current disease-modifying therapies for sCJD, prompt diagnosis allows for appropriate palliative care to be initiated, provides some closure to the patient and the patient's family, and reduces the risk of
iatrogenic transmission.
Unsafe injection practices, including excessive use of therapeutic injections and reuse of syringes, are major public health hazards and have likely contributed to the high prevalence of Hepatitis B and C1-6 which now infect over 12 million people nationwide.1 A recent outbreak of HIV in Gujrat (National AIDS Control Programme, 2009) has further highlighted the concerns for
iatrogenic transmission of infections among the general public.
In 2011, the program underwent an International Health Regulations assessment, which concluded that the program had substantially decreased
iatrogenic transmission of HCV.
The lack of any cases, to date, of
iatrogenic transmission of pathogenic virus in recombinant therapeutics should by no means generate feelings of complacency.
Such a test might also be used to test medical instruments such as electrodes to prevent
iatrogenic transmission, as well as to detect low levels of contamination in the food supply, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep, Dr.
(2000), this is the largest known
iatrogenic transmission of blood-borne pathogens in the world and probably led to a massive increase in the reservoir for hepatitis C and hepatitis B (transmitted by similar means) in the general Egyptian population.
The most likely explanation is
iatrogenic transmission during his hospital admissions; however, other possibilities cannot be excluded.
In this review, the presentation, pathology and incidence of CJD are examined, with particular reference to
iatrogenic transmission.
This paper will briefly review the challenges associated with these unusual diseases, with a particular emphasis on the risks of
iatrogenic transmission in perioperative practice.
Iatrogenic transmission of CJD has been reported from corneal transplantation, implantation of dura mater or electrodes in the brain and use of contaminated surgical instruments.
The only other examples of viruses newly transmitted between humans relate to rare instances of
iatrogenic transmission (e.g., Colorado tick fever or rabies viruses).
