Comparative studies on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in China and Austria

Objective To compare similarities and differences of clinical features and neuropathological changes of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in China and Austria in order to precisely recognize the specific characteristics of CJD in China.Methods Comparative studies in 24 Chinese cases of CJD and 79 Austrian cases of CJD were carried out on histopathological changes, immunohistochemistry, animal transmission and clinical manifestations.Results (1) The number of case with CJD both in China and Austria increases year by year. (2) Majority of cases with CJD in Austria were confirmed by antopsy,and in China by biopsy. (3) There are three deposition types of prion protein (PrP):the synaptic, perivacuolar,and plaque. Synaptic type was 91% in Austrian cases, 92% in Chinese cases; perivacuolar type was 38% in Austrian cases, 8% in Chinese cases;and plaque type was 10% in Austrian cases,and 0% in Chinese cases. (4) Synaptic type in Austrian cases was densely located in grey matter, and in Chinese cases was only scattered. (5) New variant CJD was not yet observed in Austria or in China. Conclusion Similarities and differences certainly exist between Austrian and Chinese cases in CJD. It is significantly meaningful to recognize the similarities and differences for early making diagnosis and reducing the iatrogenic disseminate spread.