[First case of presumed sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Marrakech, Morocco].

INTRODUCTION

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the most common form of subacute spongiform encephalopathy. The first case of sporadic CJD in Morocco was confirmed by postmortem histology in 2005. The absence of laboratory facilities for diagnosis of prion disease has resulting in underestimation of the incidence of CJD in Morocco. The purpose of this report is to describe another case of sporadic CJD. The patient was a 61-year-old farmer. Medical history included diabetic diet and poorly monitored but the patient had never received hormone therapy or undergone surgery or blood transfusion. There were no similar cases in the patient's family or entourage. Diagnosis of presumed sporadic CJD was based on absence of similar family cases and surgical history and on presence of rapidly progressive dementia, myoclonus, visual troubles, extrapyramidal syndrome, akinetic mutism and typical EEG. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicted supratentorial demyelination. The 14.3.3 protein was detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Other biological tests were normal. Supportive care included administration of a antihypertensive drug and nursing. The patient died four months after the onset of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Occurrence of CJD in Morocco is probably underestimated and the authors underline the need to set up specialized laboratory facilities for diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.