Resources for Healthcare Professionals

 RT-QuIC Analysis

Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) analysis of 

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aids the clinical diagnosis of Sporadic CJD

Highly sensitive (92%) and specific (100%) for Sporadic CJD and certain genetic prion disease PRNP mutations;

CSF RT-QuIC cannot be used to identify patients with variant CJD. 

RT-QuIC testing is now available in Ireland free-of-charge with a turn around time of 10 working days.

RT-QuIC analysis is fully accredited to international standards (ISO15189:2012) by INAB


Referral Form

Form A facilitates the referral of patients to the INCJDSU and Department of Public Health. This form MUST accompany all samples sent to the INCJDSU.

Sample Protocol

Outlines the sample requirements and transport conditions for CSFs sent for RT-QuIC Analysis


CJD MDT Referral Committee

Need a second opinion on your Clinical and Neuroradiological findings?

Patient Management

National guidelines on the management and reporting of patients with Prion Disease.

Diagnostic Criteria 

Determining the presence of CJD in a living patient is difficult. Patients are classified according to their ability to fulfil internationally accepted Diagnostic Criteria and when other appropriate diseases have been ruled out.

Definitive Diagnosis 

The only way to definitively confirm a diagnosis of CJD is to examine brain tissue, usually after death by post mortem examination. 

CJD is a notifiable disease in Ireland and

all suspected CJD cases must be notified to the coroner at the time of death.

 

CJD AUTOPSY 

All CJD autopsies are performed in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin on the behalf of the requesting coroner.  Every effort is made to minimise the delay to funeral arrangements.

CJD AUTOPSY FORMS

Following the CJD autopsy it is necessary to retain the brain for ~2months to perform all the necessary investigations. To ensure the family are aware of the brain retention it is essential that Autopsy Form C is completed by the family in advance. (email to: cjdsurveillanceunit@beaumont.ie).

Referral of a death to the coroner is independent of the family’s wishes and family permission is not required and therefore is not sought. However, Autopsy Form C allows the family to choose between 1) being contacted by our social worker once all investigations have been completed or 2) refuse further contact and allow the INCJDSU to dispose of the brain respectfully by cremation (cremation form must also be completed). Note: No ashes remain following the cremation of a brain.

A CJD Autopsy can not be performed until Autopsy Form C has been completed.
A Referral Form MUST be completed for all patients referred to the INCJDSU.
MORTICIAN

Once the patient passes away the coroner will organise everything with the mortician in Beaumont Hospital on contact number (01) 8528180 (or 8093000 out of hours). Coroner’s requests must be sent in writing to postmortem@beaumont.ie. The patient must be wearing an identification tag. 

COVID TEST

It is important that a Covid 19 test, taken within 24 hours of autopsy, accompanies the body (can be taken after death).

CJD AUTOPSY INFORMATION 

To help explain the process to families please refer to the CJD Autopsy Information Booklet.

CJD Surveillance &

Notification Process


For surveillance purposes, CJD is a notifiable disease in Ireland.

The INCJDSU is obliged to notify all suspected cases to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC),

the Irish Blood Transfusions Service (IBTS) and the Public Health Department of the individual’s residence in compliance with National regulations (SI 567).

 

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