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Conservative Infection Prevention and Control Practices in a Patient With Confirmed Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) presents unique infection prevention and control (IPC) challenges because prions resist conventional disinfection and sterilization methods, and evidence guiding reusable endoscope reprocessing remains limited. We describe the management of a 61-year-old woman with confirmed sporadic CJD who required percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement as part of her care plan. Following multidisciplinary risk assessment and consultation of available literature, device manufacturers, and sterile processing, the IPC team recommended an alternative approach to avoid potential prion contamination of reusable endoscopes. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement was successfully performed through interventional radiology using single-use instrumentation, and associated medical waste was managed according to institutional policy. This case highlights the importance of early IPC involvement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and proactive risk assessment when evidence and guidelines are insufficient. Alternative procedural approaches may provide practical, conservative strategies to balance patient-centered care with infection prevention priorities, particularly in resource-constrained healthcare settings.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofag579

Authors: Emily L Lear, Kevin E Kleine, Michael A Goulart, Dana L Luciani, Jorge L Verdecia

Institutions: University of Florida Health, University of Florida Health Science Center

Language: English

Topic: Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,053