Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
09:49
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
16.6K
Prion infections, blood and transfusions
Adriano Aguzzi1, Markus Glatzel
1Department of Pathology, Zürich University, Switzerland. adriano.aguzzi@usz.ch
Nature Clinical Practice. Neurology
|August 26, 2006
Summary
Prion diseases, like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), can spread through medical procedures. Recent cases suggest blood transfusions may transmit prions, necessitating new diagnostic and removal strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Prion diseases are fatal CNS disorders, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
- Iatrogenic prion transmission historically occurred via neurosurgery and pituitary extracts.
- Prions were not widely considered blood-borne, with prior studies finding no CJD transmission via transfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the potential for prion transmission through blood transfusion.
- To address concerns raised by variant CJD (vCJD) transmission in blood recipients.
- To explore strategies for mitigating prion spread via blood products.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and case studies on prion transmission.
- Analysis of reports linking blood donation from vCJD-infected individuals to recipient infections.
- Consideration of prion presence in extracerebral tissues and blood of animals.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests prions can be transmitted via blood transfusion, challenging previous assumptions.
- Reports of vCJD in blood recipients from infected donors provide critical data.
- Prions have been detected in the blood of various species, supporting hematogenic spread.
Conclusions:
- Hematogenic prion transmission is plausible and supported by emerging evidence.
- Novel diagnostic tools and prion clearance methods are crucial for blood safety.
- Controlling iatrogenic prion spread requires addressing transfusion-related risks.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Blood Flow
76.1K
Blood is pumped by the heart into the aorta, the largest artery in the body, and then into increasingly smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. The velocity of blood flow decreases with increased cross-sectional blood vessel area. As blood returns to the heart through venules and veins, its velocity increases. The movement of blood is encouraged by smooth muscle in the vessel walls, the movement of skeletal muscle surrounding the vessels, and one-way valves that prevent backflow.
76.1K
01:15Blood Transfusion
2.4K
Blood transfusion is a critical medical procedure that saves lives and treats various medical conditions. It involves transferring blood from a donor to a recipient. This process requires a thorough understanding of the ABO blood group system and its associated antigens and antibodies.
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
2.4K
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
14.9K
Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
14.9K
01:20Infection
12.7K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
12.7K
01:26Stages of Infection
65.4K
Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...
65.4K
01:22Composition of Blood
12.4K
The blood in our bodies comprises three major components: blood plasma, formed elements, and the extracellular matrix. Blood plasma is a yellowish fluid that constitutes 55% of the total blood volume. It is primarily made up of water and essential substances such as electrolytes and proteins. Blood plasma serves as a medium for transporting blood cells and also contains nutrients, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and gases.
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
12.4K