vCJD poses threat to 'thousands'

Many thousands more people may be at risk of variant Creutzfeld Jakob Disease (vCJD) than was previously thought, but the latest research suggests that it is linked to genetic factors.

According to researchers from Edinburgh, the long incubation time, the ease by which the disease may be passed from blood and surgical instruments, vCJD poses a "significant public health issue."

The researchers noted that due to the long incubation time there could be a significant level of vCJD in the population. The report in the Lancet Neurology also warned that secondary transmission via blood and surgical equipment could occur with "relative efficiency".

Due to these factors the report said that all individuals could be at risk from secondary transmission and that vCJD was a "significant" issue for public health.

However, the report noted that the genetic make-up of individuals was important in determining the progression of the disease in individuals.

Almost all the individuals who have developed vCJD have had one particular form of a protein producing gene linked to the "prion" protein found in the disease.

The research also indicated that there was a significant species 'barrier" for the disease offering an explanation why few people who may have been exposed have gone on to develop the disease.

The research also showed that there was the possibility of asymptomatic carriers, as some of the genetically modified mice used were found to be symptom-free, but this is only around 10% of the general population.

(SP/KMcA)