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Cadaveric Human Growth Hormone-Associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease with Long Latency Period, United States

Anatevka S Ribeiro, Andrew B Wolf, Ellen W Leschek

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |May 29, 2025
    PubMed

    Insights

    A patient developed iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD) after a 48.3-year incubation period following cadaveric human growth hormone treatment. This case highlights the long incubation period of iCJD and the need for clinical vigilance.

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Pathology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative prion disease.
    • Iatrogenic CJD (iCJD) can occur through medical procedures or contaminated treatments.
    • Cadaveric human growth hormone (hGH) therapy was a historical route for prion transmission.

    Observation:

    • A patient presented with progressive neurological decline.
    • The patient had a history of treatment with cadaveric hGH.
    • A 48.3-year incubation period was estimated between treatment and symptom onset.

    Findings:

    • Pathological examination confirmed iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
    • Genetic analysis ruled out familial CJD mutations.
    • The extremely long incubation period is a key finding.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians must consider iCJD in patients with unexplained progressive neurological symptoms, especially those with a history of cadaveric hGH treatment.
    • This case underscores the risk of prion disease transmission via contaminated biological products.
    • Awareness of long incubation periods is crucial for diagnosing rare neurodegenerative diseases.

    Keywords:
    CJDCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseasePrPSc proteinsUnited Stateshuman growth hormonemyoclonusprions and related diseasessporadic

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