In-Depth Discussion of Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD) and Blood Donation

CJD is a rare, progressive and fatal brain disorder that occurs in all parts of the world and has been known about for decades. CJD is different from variant CJD, the new disease in humans thought to be associated with Mad Cow disease in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

CJD appears to be an infectious disease. It has been transmitted from infected humans to patients through the transplantation of the covering of the brain (dura mater), use of contaminated brain electrodes, and injection of growth hormones derived from human pituitary glands. Rarely, CJD is associated with an hereditary predisposition; that is, it occurs in biologic or “blood” relatives ( persons in the same genetic family).

There is no evidence that CJD can be transmitted from donors to patients through blood transfusions. However, nobody knows for certain that this cannot happen. There is no test for CJD that could be used to screen blood donors. This means that blood programs must take special precautions to keep CJD out of the blood supply by not taking blood donations from those who might have acquired this infection.

You are considered to be at higher risk of carrying CJD if you

Received a dura mater (brain covering) graft;
Received human pituitary-derived growth hormone injections; or
Have a biologic relative who has been diagnosed with CJD. Biologic relative in this setting means mother, father, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle or children.

If any of these descriptions apply to you, you should not donate blood until more is known about CJD and the risk to the blood supply.