CJD: Understanding Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Rare, transmissible, and rapidly progressive, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an ultimately fatal central nervous system infection caused by accumulation of abnormally shaped prion proteins in neurons (see Understanding prion proteins). Although categorized as an infection, CJD doesn't lead to the immune system or inflammatory response typical of most infectious diseases. This article discusses the pathophysiology and diagnosis of this terminal illness and nursing care for patients with suspected or confirmed CJD.