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

Emerg Infect Dis. 2025 Jun;31(6):1189-1192. doi: 10.3201/eid3106.241519.

Abstract

We report a case of iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD) after a 48.3-year incubation period in a patient treated with cadaveric human growth hormone. iCJD was pathologically confirmed; genetic analysis was negative for pathogenic mutations. Clinicians should consider iCJD in patients with progressive neurologic signs who had received cadaveric human growth hormone treatment.

Keywords: CJD; Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; PrPSc proteins; United States; human growth hormone; myoclonus; prions and related diseases; sporadic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cadaver
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome* / etiology
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome* / pathology
  • Female
  • Human Growth Hormone* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Middle Aged
  • United States

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone