physician-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Physician-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by exposure to prions during medical procedures. It is a subtype of acquired CJD, which accounts for about 1% of all CJD cases.1

Transmission of iCJD can occur through:
* Contaminated surgical instruments1
* Corneal transplants1
* Transfusions of contaminated blood products or plasma1
* Injections of growth hormone derived from human pituitary glands1

CJD itself is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system, characterized by a spongy pattern of brain tissue destruction. It is caused by prions, abnormal proteins that accumulate and damage nerve cells, leading to progressive dementia and involuntary movements. The disease is typically fatal within a year of symptom onset.1