[Safety measures for handling laboratory specimen and patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease]

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathy that invariably leads to death. The presumed causative agent, the prion protein, is highly resistant to inactivation and has a long incubation period. Physical contact with CJD patients (as in clinical care) entails no risk of transmission. During procedures such as lumbar puncture where contact with infected material is possible, precautions are necessary. Precautions are: the use of gloves, maximal protection of people who come in contact with contaminated tissue (e.g. pathologist and histological laboratory worker) and transportation of samples in a closed and labelled container. For laboratory research the tissue must be submerged in 92-98% formic acid for 1 hour. All used materials and instruments must be decontaminated properly, using for instance NaOH, NaClO, guanidine thiocyanate or steam autoclaving. If adequate precautions are taken contact with contaminated materials can be safe.