Mad Cow Disease

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Mad Cow Disease, otherwise known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. It discusses the history, background and pathophysiology of the disease. It then goes on to describe prevention and treatment options for the disease, concluding that there are no effective treatments available. The paper concludes by discussing nursing and collaborative care for patients with the disease.

Table of Contents:
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Prevention and Treatment
Differences in Classic CJD and Variant CJD
Nursing and Collaborative Care

From the Paper:

"Variant CJD has a median age at death of 28 years. The duration of the illness is approximately 13-14 months. Some of the clinical signs and symptoms include: prominent psychiatric/behavioral symptoms, painful dyesthesiasis; and delayed neurologic signs. The "Pulvinar sign" on an MRI is present in greater than 75% of most of the Variant CJD. The presence of "florid plaques" on neuropathology is usually in large numbers and easily detected. The agent is readily detected in the lymphoid tissue. There is a marked accumulation of protease-resistance prion protein noted in the brain. This is why the Variant CJD is much more easily detected because it shows up on more tests."

Sample of Sources Used:

• BSE and vCJD:Background, Evolution, and Current Concerns. (02/20/2001). Retrieved July 5, 2006, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol7no1/brown.htm
• BSE and vCJD: Prevention of Specific Infectious Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2006, from http://www2.bcid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=madcow.htm&cssNav
• Duncan, R.E., Delatycki, M.B., Collins, S.J., Masters, C.L., & Savulescu, J. (2005). Ethical considerations in presymptomatic testing for variant CJD. Journal of Medical Ethics, 31 (11), 625-630. Retrieved July 5, 2006, from http://www.weblinks2.epnet.combindery.aug.edu:2048/DeliveryPrintSave.asp?tb=1&_ua=bt+TD.
• Holy Cow! What now? (3/8/04). Retrieved June 26, 2006, from http://www.highbeam.com/library/docfreepreint.asp?docid=1G1:114089957&ctr1Info=Rou
• Lemone, P., & Burke, K. (2004). Medical Surgical Nursing (3rd ed., pp. 1429,1430). New Jersey: Pearson Education.

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