CJD symptoms develop in man 38 years after exposure
31 May 2002
People can develop Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) almost 40 years after receiving human growth hormone, researchers from the Netherlands say.
The Dutch report describes a 47-year-old man who developed CJD 38 years after receiving a low dose of human-derived growth hormone as part of a diagnostic procedure (Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 2002; 72: 792-93).
'This is the longest incubation period described so far for iatrogenic CJD (CJD induced by a doctor or medical treatment),' the researchers said.
'Furthermore, this is the first report of CJD after diagnostic use of human growth hormone.
'Since the patient was one of the first in the world to receive human growth hormone, other cases of iatrogenic CJD can be expected in the coming years.'
How common is CJD?
- According to figures from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, there are about 20 cases of CJD in Australia a year, which occur sporadically.
- Australia is yet to see a case of variant CJD (vCJD), which can arise from eating meat contaminated with the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Last Reviewed: 31 May 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 31/5/02
