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A Case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) with Lightning-like Progression

Received: 29 October 2025     Accepted: 5 December 2025     Published: 24 December 2025
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Abstract

Background: RT-QuIC (Real-Time QuIC) is a clinical diagnostic method that detects trace proteins in samples through protein amplification. According to the international CJD diagnostic criteria, RT-QuIC provides diagnostic evidence that is second only to that of pathology. Presently, this approach remains underutilized in China. Case Report: A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital for a period of two weeks, characterized by a general slowing of her cognitive responses. A physical examination revealed elevated levels of cognitive impairment, as indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 12 and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 8. An electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed moderate abnormalities, characterized by intermittent high-amplitude delta waves (frequency 3–3.5 Hz) across multiple leads and short-range rhythmic discharges in several leads. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed the presence of ribbon-like changes in the parietal and temporal cortical regions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. CSF testing for 14-3-3 protein yielded a negative result, while RT-QuIC testing produced a positive result. Treatment: The primary management strategy encompassed the provision of supportive care and the management of symptoms. The clinical outcome is as follows: The treatment response was unsatisfactory, with a rapid disease progression over a 52-day period. The patient exhibited a progressive deterioration in visuospatial function, accompanied by the emergence of myoclonus, tremor, urinary and fecal incontinence, and motor mutism. Conclusion: RT-QuIC testing has the potential to enhance diagnostic specificity and sensitivity in patients suspected of having Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Published in Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16
Page(s) 139-142
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, 14-3-3 Protein, RT-Quti, Cortical Ribbon Sign

References
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[2] Narula R, Tinaz S. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease[J]. New England Journal of Medicine, 2018, 378(4): e7.
[3] 葛天翔, 荚杨洋, 李春辉, 等. 克-雅病医疗机构感染防控专家共识 [J]. 中国感染控制杂志, 2025, 24(04): 437-450.
[4] Kong Y, Chen Z, Shi Q, et al. Clinical correlates of cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein in non-prion rapid progressive dementia[J]. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2023, 91(1): 263-272.
[5] Humpel C, Benke T. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of 14-3-3 gamma: what does it tell us about sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?[J]. Pharmacology, 2017, 100(5-6): 243-245.
[6] Fayolle M, Lehmann S, Delaby C. Comparison of cerebrospinal fluid tau, ptau (181), synuclein, and 14-3-3 for the detection of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in clinical practice[J]. Journal of Neural Transmission, 2022, 129(2): 133-139.
[7] Atarashi R. RT-QuIC as ultrasensitive method for prion detection[J]. Cell and Tissue Research, 2023, 392(1): 295-300.
[8] Green A J E. RT-QuIC: a new test for sporadic CJD[J]. Practical neurology, 2019, 19(1): 49-55.
[9] Orrú C D, Groveman B R, Foutz A, et al. Ring trial of 2nd generation RT‐QuIC diagnostic tests for sporadic CJD[J]. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 2020, 7(11): 2262-2271.
[10] Fan T H, Kharal G A, Biedny J, et al. Callosal Diffusion-Restriction in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage[J]. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2021, 30(9): 105951.
[11] Haq I, Sohail A A, Rasheed M. Role of MRI in Diagnosis of Rapidly Progressive Cognitive Impairment-A Case Of Sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (sCJD)[J]. Age and Ageing, 2024, 53(Supplement_4): afae178. 072.
[12] Fiorini M, Iselle G, Perra D, et al. High diagnostic accuracy of RT-QuIC assay in a prospective study of patients with suspected sCJD[J]. International journal of molecular sciences, 2020, 21(3): 880.
[13] 陈帅, 贺爽, 张杰文. 散发型克-雅病头颅磁共振影像异常分析 [J]. 中国实用神经疾病杂志, 2020, 23(05): 401-405.
[14] Matsubayashi T, Akaza M, Hayashi Y, et al. Specific electroencephalogram features in the very early phases of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease[J]. Journal of the neurological sciences, 2022, 437: 120265.
[15] Mousailidis G, Lazzari C, Bhan‐Kotwal S, et al. Rapidly progressive dementia with psychosis caused by CJD[J]. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry, 2018, 22(4): 19-22.
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  • APA Style

    Jia, Z., Geng, J. (2025). A Case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) with Lightning-like Progression. Science Discovery, 13(6), 139-142. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16

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    ACS Style

    Jia, Z.; Geng, J. A Case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) with Lightning-like Progression. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(6), 139-142. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16

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    AMA Style

    Jia Z, Geng J. A Case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) with Lightning-like Progression. Sci Discov. 2025;13(6):139-142. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16,
      author = {Zhengchang Jia and Jinfeng Geng},
      title = {A Case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) with Lightning-like Progression
    },
      journal = {Science Discovery},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {139-142},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251306.16},
      abstract = {Background: RT-QuIC (Real-Time QuIC) is a clinical diagnostic method that detects trace proteins in samples through protein amplification. According to the international CJD diagnostic criteria, RT-QuIC provides diagnostic evidence that is second only to that of pathology. Presently, this approach remains underutilized in China. Case Report: A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital for a period of two weeks, characterized by a general slowing of her cognitive responses. A physical examination revealed elevated levels of cognitive impairment, as indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 12 and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 8. An electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed moderate abnormalities, characterized by intermittent high-amplitude delta waves (frequency 3–3.5 Hz) across multiple leads and short-range rhythmic discharges in several leads. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed the presence of ribbon-like changes in the parietal and temporal cortical regions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. CSF testing for 14-3-3 protein yielded a negative result, while RT-QuIC testing produced a positive result. Treatment: The primary management strategy encompassed the provision of supportive care and the management of symptoms. The clinical outcome is as follows: The treatment response was unsatisfactory, with a rapid disease progression over a 52-day period. The patient exhibited a progressive deterioration in visuospatial function, accompanied by the emergence of myoclonus, tremor, urinary and fecal incontinence, and motor mutism. Conclusion: RT-QuIC testing has the potential to enhance diagnostic specificity and sensitivity in patients suspected of having Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    AU  - Zhengchang Jia
    AU  - Jinfeng Geng
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    AB  - Background: RT-QuIC (Real-Time QuIC) is a clinical diagnostic method that detects trace proteins in samples through protein amplification. According to the international CJD diagnostic criteria, RT-QuIC provides diagnostic evidence that is second only to that of pathology. Presently, this approach remains underutilized in China. Case Report: A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital for a period of two weeks, characterized by a general slowing of her cognitive responses. A physical examination revealed elevated levels of cognitive impairment, as indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 12 and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 8. An electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed moderate abnormalities, characterized by intermittent high-amplitude delta waves (frequency 3–3.5 Hz) across multiple leads and short-range rhythmic discharges in several leads. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed the presence of ribbon-like changes in the parietal and temporal cortical regions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. CSF testing for 14-3-3 protein yielded a negative result, while RT-QuIC testing produced a positive result. Treatment: The primary management strategy encompassed the provision of supportive care and the management of symptoms. The clinical outcome is as follows: The treatment response was unsatisfactory, with a rapid disease progression over a 52-day period. The patient exhibited a progressive deterioration in visuospatial function, accompanied by the emergence of myoclonus, tremor, urinary and fecal incontinence, and motor mutism. Conclusion: RT-QuIC testing has the potential to enhance diagnostic specificity and sensitivity in patients suspected of having Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
    
    VL  - 13
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Author Information
  • Department of Neurology, Jinzhong Second People's Hospital, Jinzhong, China

  • Department of Neurology, Jinzhong Second People's Hospital, Jinzhong, China

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