NATURE
Evidence for human transmission of amyloid-β pathology and cerebral amyloid
angiopathy
Zane Jaunmuktane, Simon Mead, Matthew Ellis, Jonathan D. F. Wadsworth,
Andrew J. Nicoll, Joanna Kenny, Francesca Launchbury, Jacqueline Linehan, Angela
Richard-Loendt, A. Sarah Walker, Peter Rudge, John Collinge & Sebastian
Brandner Affiliations Contributions Corresponding authors Nature 525, 247–250
(10 September 2015) doi:10.1038/nature15369 Received 26 April 2015 Accepted 14
August 2015 Published online 09 September 2015
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More than two hundred individuals developed Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD)
worldwide as a result of treatment, typically in childhood, with human cadaveric
pituitary-derived growth hormone contaminated with prions1, 2. Although such
treatment ceased in 1985, iatrogenic CJD (iCJD) continues to emerge because of
the prolonged incubation periods seen in human prion infections. Unexpectedly,
in an autopsy study of eight individuals with iCJD, aged 36–51 years, in four we
found moderate to severe grey matter and vascular amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology. The
Aβ deposition in the grey matter was typical of that seen in Alzheimer’s disease
and Aβ in the blood vessel walls was characteristic of cerebral amyloid
angiopathy3 and did not co-localize with prion protein deposition. None of these
patients had pathogenic mutations, APOE ε4 or other high-risk alleles4
associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Examination of a series of 116
patients with other prion diseases from a prospective observational cohort
study5 showed minimal or no Aβ pathology in cases of similar age range, or a
decade older, without APOE ε4 risk alleles. We also analysed pituitary glands
from individuals with Aβ pathology and found marked Aβ deposition in multiple
cases. Experimental seeding of Aβ pathology has been previously demonstrated in
primates and transgenic mice by central nervous system or peripheral inoculation
with Alzheimer’s disease brain homogenate6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The marked
deposition of parenchymal and vascular Aβ in these relatively young patients
with iCJD, in contrast with other prion disease patients and population
controls, is consistent with iatrogenic transmission of Aβ pathology in addition
to CJD and suggests that healthy exposed individuals may also be at risk of
iatrogenic Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. These findings
should also prompt investigation of whether other known iatrogenic routes of
prion transmission may also be relevant to Aβ and other proteopathic seeds
associated with neurodegenerative and other human diseases.
Subject terms: Alzheimer's disease Prion diseases Infection
snip...
There has been longstanding interest as to whether other neurodegenerative
diseases associated with the accumulation of aggregates of misfolded host
proteins or amyloids might be transmissible in a ‘prion-like’ fashion21, 22.
Experimental seeding of Aβ pathology has previously been demonstrated in
primates and transgenic mice by central nervous system inoculation with
Alzheimer’s disease brain homogenate6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Of particular interest with
respect to our findings is that peripheral (intraperitoneal) inoculation with
Alzheimer’s disease brain extract into APP23 (ref. 11) transgenic mice has been
demonstrated. While ageing APP23 mice show mostly parenchymal deposits, the
intraperitoneally-seeded mice showed predominantly CAA, a feature seen in
patients with iCJD who had significant Aβ pathology. This experimental study and
our findings suggest that there are mechanisms to allow the transport of Aβ
seeds as well as prions (and possibly other proteopathic seeds such as tau23)
from the periphery to the brain24, 25. While less than 4% of UK c-hGH treated
individuals have developed iCJD, one out of eight patients with iCJD had focal,
and three had widespread, moderate or severe CAA. Four patients had widespread
parenchymal Aβ pathology and two further patients had focal cortical Aβ
deposits. This might suggest that healthy individuals exposed to c-hGH are at
high risk of developing early-onset Aβ pathology as this cohort ages.
Although none of the iCJD cases with Aβ pathology had hyperphosphorylated
tau neurofibrillary tangle pathology characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, it
is possible that the full neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease would have
developed had these individuals not succumbed to prion disease at these
relatively young ages. An earlier study concluded that c-hGH recipients did not
seem to be at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but this was based on death
certificates only without autopsy data20. However, the severe CAA seen in the
patients with iCJD in our study is unquestionably concerning and individuals
with such pathology would be at increasing risk of cerebral haemorrhages had
they lived longer. At-risk individuals, including patients who had received dura
mater grafts26 could be screened by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for
CAA-related pathologies (such as microbleeds) and by positron emission
tomography (PET) for Aβ deposition27.
It is possible, however, that prions and Aβ seeds co-purify in the
extraction methods used to prepare c-hGH, which might mean that there would be a
relatively higher occurrence of Aβ pathology in those with iatrogenic prion
infection. Analysis of any residual archival batches of c-hGH for both prions
and Aβ seeds might be informative in this regard2. While our data argue against
cross seeding, we cannot formally exclude the possibility that prions somehow
seed Aβ deposition but do not co-localize with Aβ deposits. While there is no
suggestion that Alzheimer’s disease is a contagious disease and no supportive
evidence from epidemiological studies that Alzheimer’s disease is transmissible,
notably by blood transfusion28, 29, our findings should prompt consideration of
whether other known iatrogenic routes of prion transmission, including surgical
instruments and blood products, may also be relevant to Aβ and other
proteopathic seeds seen in neurodegenerative diseases. Aβ seeds are known, like
prions, to adhere to metal surfaces and to resist formaldehyde inactivation and
conventional hospital sterilisation30.
Autopsies reveal signs of Alzheimer’s in growth-hormone patients
Brain plaques may have been seeded by contaminated hormone extracts from
cadavers. Alison Abbott 09 September 2015
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Jaunmuktane et al. Nature 525, 247–250 (2015)
Amyloid-β protein (brown) has been found in the pituitary gland, which sits
just outside the brain.
Only a decade ago, the idea that Alzheimer’s disease might be transmissible
between people would have been laughed off the stage. But scientists have since
shown that tissues can transmit symptoms of the disease between animals — and
new results imply that humans, at least in one unusual circumstance, may not be
an exception.
The findings, published in this issue of Nature, emerged during autopsy
studies of the brains of eight people who had died of the rare but deadly
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD; Z. Jaunmuktane et al. Nature 525, 247–250;
2015). They contracted it decades after treatment with contaminated batches of
growth hormone that had been extracted from the pituitary glands of human
cadavers. Six of the brains, in addition to the damage caused by CJD, harboured
the tell-tale amyloid pathology that is associated with Alzheimer’s
disease.
“This is the first evidence of real-world transmission of amyloid
pathology,” says molecular neuroscientist John Hardy of University College
London (UCL). “It is potentially concerning.”
Related stories •Neurodegeneration: Amyloid-β pathology induced in humans
•Genetic mutation blocks prion disease •Alzheimer’s research takes a leaf from
the prion notebook
More related stories
If confirmed, the findings raise the spectre that tens of thousands of
other people treated with the human growth-hormone (hGH) extracts might be at
risk of Alzheimer’s. And although there is no suggestion that Alzheimer’s could
be contracted through normal contact with patients, some scientists worry that
the findings may have broader implications: that Alzheimer’s could be passed on
by other routes through which CJD can be transmitted, such as blood transfusions
or contaminated surgical instruments.
CJD is one of several neurodegenerative diseases caused by an infectious,
misfolded protein, or prion, called PrP. Its misfolded shape makes it sticky, so
it forms clumps. Scientists now believe that Alzheimer’s could also be triggered
by a similar misfolding, in this case of the peptide amyloid-β, with the
disease’s plaques growing from small amyloid-β ‘seeds’. Mice and marmosets have
developed plaques when their brains were injected with brain extracts containing
amyloid-β; in mice, plaques developed even when the extracts were injected into
the animals’ bellies.
The authors of the latest paper provide the first support for the theory
that amyloid-plaque formation could be triggered in this way in humans, although
“they fall short of providing the final proof of this”, says neuroscientist
Mathias Jucker of the University of Tübingen, Germany, who is co-author of an
accompanying News & Views article (see page 193). Such proof would require
injecting the cadaver-derived hGH into animals under controlled conditions and
seeing whether amyloid deposits develop as a consequence.
But it may not be easy to get hold of the original hGH extracts, which were
prepared in various locations. Some are known to have been stored in Britain,
where court cases about possible liability are ongoing, but scientists do not
know whether other stocks have been kept. People who received the hGH injections
will also be difficult to trace after so many years. The National Prion Clinic
at UCL Hospital, which has a helpline for people who are concerned about the
risk of CJD after hGH injections, will advise those who call asking about the
new developments.
From 1958 until 1985, when the dangers were first realized, around 30,000
people worldwide had hGH injected into their muscles — mostly children who had
not been growing at a normal rate. The preparations comprised pooled material
extracted from thousands of cadavers. Some extracts turned out to have been
contaminated with CJD prions, leading to 226 deadly infections by 2012, mostly
in France (119 cases), Britain (65 cases) and the United States (29 cases).
Numbers are still creeping up, because CJD has a long incubation period.
None of the eight patients studied, who were aged between 36 and 51 when
they died, had shown clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which also has a
long incubation period. Of the six who already had amyloid-β pathology, it was
widespread in four.
Because it is rare to see this type of amyloid pathology at such young
ages, the scientists suspected that amyloid seeds may have been transferred with
the hGH injection, just as the CJD prion had been. They did a series of
investigations to rule out other explanations.
They determined that none of the eight individuals carried genes that would
predispose them to early-onset Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases.
They looked for, but did not find, significant amyloid pathology in patients of
a similar age who had died of CJD or other prion diseases but had never been
treated with hGH.
Furthermore, the team checked to see whether amyloid pathology really can
spread from the brain to the pituitary gland, located just outside the base of
the brain. Confirming a 2013 US study, they found that it can spread in
principle. They examined the pituitary glands of 49 people who had died with
amyloid plaques in their brains and found that seven contained amyloid
deposits.
“We think that the most plausible explanation for the occurrence of the
amyloid pathology is that it had been transmitted by particular hGH extracts
that happened to be contaminated with amyloid-β seeds as well as the CJD
prions,” says John Collinge, a co-author of the paper and a neurologist at UCL.
If this turns out to be the case, amyloid-β would have been a much more frequent
contaminant in the different hGH batches than PrP was, because Alzheimer’s is a
very common disease.
Prions are harder to deactivate than bacteria and viruses. They stick
tightly to metals, and decontamination requires extreme sterilization
conditions, which can harm fragile medical instruments. For these reasons,
neurosurgeons do not routinely do this type of decontamination, says one German
neurosurgeon, speaking off the record — adding that if it were to be confirmed
that Alzheimer’s is transmitted in a prion-like way, the impact on public health
and surgical practice would be major, and very expensive.
“We have learnt a lot about decontamination from our experience with CJD,”
says neuropathologist Charles Duyckaerts at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in
Paris. “But this is a wake-up call to the medical community to be particularly
vigilant.”
With so much at stake, scientists are preparing to try to replicate the
results independently. Duyckaerts says that he plans to do so on 20 or 30
subjects who died of CJD in France after receiving the cadaver-derived hGH
treatment. Nature 525, 165–166 (10 September 2015) doi:10.1038/525165a
Self-Propagative Replication of Ab Oligomers Suggests Potential
Transmissibility in Alzheimer Disease
Received July 24, 2014; Accepted September 16, 2014; Published November 3,
2014
Singeltary comment reply to above ‘’Self-Propagative Replication of Ab
Oligomers Suggests Potential Transmissibility in Alzheimer Disease’’
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy prion
disease, Iatrogenic, what if ?
Posted by flounder on 05 Nov 2014 at 21:27 GMT
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy prion
disease, Iatrogenic, what if ?
Background
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy disease
have both been around a long time, and was discovered in or around the same time
frame, early 1900’s. Both diseases are incurable and debilitating brain disease,
that are in the end, 100% fatal, with the incubation/clinical period of the
Alzheimer’s disease being longer (most of the time) than the TSE prion disease.
Symptoms are very similar, and pathology is very similar.
Methods
Through years of research, as a layperson, of peer review journals,
transmission studies, and observations of loved ones and friends that have died
from both Alzheimer’s and the TSE prion disease i.e. Heidenhain Variant
Creutzfelt Jakob Disease CJD.
Results
I propose that Alzheimer’s is a TSE disease of low dose, slow, and long
incubation disease, and that Alzheimer’s is Transmissible, and is a threat to
the public via the many Iatrogenic routes and sources. It was said long ago that
the only thing that disputes this, is Alzheimer’s disease transmissibility, or
the lack of. The likelihood of many victims of Alzheimer’s disease from the many
different Iatrogenic routes and modes of transmission as with the TSE prion
disease.
Conclusions
There should be a Global Congressional Science round table event set up
immediately to address these concerns from the many potential routes and sources
of the TSE prion disease, including Alzheimer’s disease, and a emergency global
doctrine put into effect to help combat the spread of Alzheimer’s disease via
the medical, surgical, dental, tissue, and blood arena’s. All human and animal
TSE prion disease, including Alzheimer’s should be made reportable in every
state, and Internationally, WITH NO age restrictions. Until a proven method of
decontamination and autoclaving is proven, and put forth in use universally, in
all hospitals and medical, surgical arena’s, or the TSE prion agent will
continue to spread. IF we wait until science and corporate politicians wait
until politics lets science _prove_ this once and for all, and set forth
regulations there from, we will all be exposed to the TSE Prion agents, if that
has not happened already.
end...tss
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1982;396:131-43.
Alzheimer's disease and transmissible virus dementia (Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease).
Brown P, Salazar AM, Gibbs CJ Jr, Gajdusek DC.
Abstract
Ample justification exists on clinical, pathologic, and biologic grounds
for considering a similar pathogenesis for AD and the spongiform virus
encephalopathies. However, the crux of the comparison rests squarely on results
of attempts to transmit AD to experimental animals, and these results have not
as yet validated a common etiology. Investigations of the biologic similarities
between AD and the spongiform virus encephalopathies proceed in several
laboratories, and our own observation of inoculated animals will be continued in
the hope that incubation periods for AD may be even longer than those of CJD.
CJD1/9 0185 Ref: 1M51A
IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
Dr McGovern From: Dr A Wight Date: 5 January 1993 Copies: Dr Metters Dr
Skinner Dr Pickles Dr Morris Mr Murray
TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES
1. CMO will wish to be aware that a meeting was held at DH yesterday, 4
January, to discuss the above findings. It was chaired by Professor Murray
(Chairman of the MRC Co-ordinating Committee on Research in the Spongiform
Encephalopathies in Man), and attended by relevant experts in the fields of
Neurology, Neuropathology, molecular biology, amyloid biochemistry, and the
spongiform encephalopathies, and by representatives of the MRC and AFRC. 2.
Briefly, the meeting agreed that:
i) Dr Ridley et als findings of experimental induction of p amyloid in
primates were valid, interesting and a significant advance in the understanding
of neurodegenerative disorders;
ii) there were no immediate implications for the public health, and no
further safeguards were thought to be necessary at present; and
iii) additional research was desirable, both epidemiological and at the
molecular level. Possible avenues are being followed up by DH and the MRC, but
the details will require further discussion. 93/01.05/4.1
BSE101/1 0136
IN CONFIDENCE
5 NOV 1992 CMO From: Dr J S Metters DCMO 4 November 1992
TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES
1. Thank you for showing me Diana Dunstan's letter. I am glad that MRC have
recognized the public sensitivity of these findings and intend to report them in
their proper context. This hopefully will avoid misunderstanding and possible
distortion by the media to portray the results as having more greater
significance than the findings so far justify.
2. Using a highly unusual route of transmission (intra-cerebral injection)
the researchers have demonstrated the transmission of a pathological process
from two cases one of severe Alzheimer's disease the other of
Gerstmann-Straussler disease to marmosets. However they have not demonstrated
the transmission of either clinical condition as the "animals were behaving
normally when killed'. As the report emphasizes the unanswered question is
whether the disease condition would have revealed itself if the marmosets had
lived longer. They are planning further research to see if the conditions, as
opposed to the partial pathological process, is transmissible. What are the
implications for public health?
3. The route of transmission is very specific and in the natural state of
things highly unusual. However it could be argued that the results reveal a
potential risk, in that brain tissue from these two patients has been shown to
transmit a pathological process. Should therefore brain tissue from such cases
be regarded as potentially infective? Pathologists, morticians, neuro surgeons
and those assisting at neuro surgical procedures and others coming into contact
with "raw" human brain tissue could in theory be at risk. However, on a priori
grounds given the highly specific route of transmission in these experiments
that risk must be negligible if the usual precautions for handling brain tissue
are observed.
92/11.4/1-1 BSE101/1 0137
4. The other dimension to consider is the public reaction. To some extent
the GSS case demonstrates little more than the transmission of BSE to a pig by
intra-cerebral injection. If other prion diseases can be transmitted in this way
it is little surprise that some pathological findings observed in GSS were also
transmissible to a marmoset. But the transmission of features of Alzheimer's
pathology is a different matter, given the much greater frequency of this
disease and raises the unanswered question whether some cases are the result of
a transmissible prion. The only tenable public line will be that "more research
is required" before that hypothesis could be evaluated. The possibility on a
transmissible prion remains open. In the meantime MRC needs carefully to
consider the range and sequence of studies needed to follow through from the
preliminary observations in these two cases. Not a particularly comfortable
message, but until we know more about the causation of Alzheimer's disease the
total reassurance is not practical.
JS METTERS Room 509 Richmond House Pager No: 081-884 3344 Callsign: DOH 832
121/YdeS 92/11.4/1.2
BSE101/1 0136
IN CONFIDENCE
CMO
From: Dr J S Metters DCMO
4 November 1992
TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES
CJD1/9 0185
Ref: 1M51A
IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
From: Dr. A Wight Date: 5 January 1993
Copies:
Dr Metters Dr Skinner Dr Pickles Dr Morris Mr Murray
TRANSMISSION OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE PLAQUES TO PRIMATES
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Transmission of multiple system atrophy prions to transgenic mice
‘’Our results provide compelling evidence that α-synuclein aggregates
formed in the brains of MSA patients are transmissible and, as such, are
prions.’’
Transmission of a neurodegenerative disorder from humans to mice
The findings suggest that the α-synuclein deposits that form in the brains
of patients with MSA behave like prions and are transmissible under certain
circumstances, according to the authors. — N.Z.
α-Synuclein deposits in the brainstems of inoculated mice.
kind regards, terry
No competing interests declared.
*** Singeltary comment ***
*** NOW PLEASE READ THIS SHORT ABSTRACT FROM DECADES AGO, THE LATE GREAT
DR. GIBBS, PLEASE READ THIS 3 TIMES AND THEN PROCEED***
Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to a chimpanzee by electrodes
contaminated during neurosurgery.
Gibbs CJ Jr, Asher DM, Kobrine A, Amyx HL, Sulima MP, Gajdusek DC.
Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
20892.
Stereotactic multicontact electrodes used to probe the cerebral cortex of a
middle aged woman with progressive dementia were previously implicated in the
accidental transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to two younger
patients. The diagnoses of CJD have been confirmed for all three cases. More
than two years after their last use in humans, after three cleanings and
repeated sterilisation in ethanol and formaldehyde vapour, the electrodes were
implanted in the cortex of a chimpanzee. Eighteen months later the animal became
ill with CJD. This finding serves to re-emphasise the potential danger posed by
reuse of instruments contaminated with the agents of spongiform
encephalopathies, even after scrupulous attempts to clean them.
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy prion
disease, Iatrogenic, what if ?
Background
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy disease
have both been around a long time, and was discovered in or around the same time
frame, early 1900’s. Both diseases are incurable and debilitating brain disease,
that are in the end, 100% fatal, with the incubation/clinical period of the
Alzheimer’s disease being longer (most of the time) than the TSE prion disease.
Symptoms are very similar, and pathology is very similar.
Methods
Through years of research, as a layperson, of peer review journals,
transmission studies, and observations of loved ones and friends that have died
from both Alzheimer’s and the TSE prion disease i.e. Heidenhain Variant
Creutzfelt Jakob Disease CJD.
Results
I propose that Alzheimer’s is a TSE disease of low dose, slow, and long
incubation disease, and that Alzheimer’s is Transmissible, and is a threat to
the public via the many Iatrogenic routes and sources. It was said long ago that
the only thing that disputes this, is Alzheimer’s disease transmissibility, or
the lack of. The likelihood of many victims of Alzheimer’s disease from the many
different Iatrogenic routes and modes of transmission as with the TSE prion
disease.
Conclusions
There should be a Global Congressional Science round table event set up
immediately to address these concerns from the many potential routes and sources
of the TSE prion disease, including Alzheimer’s disease, and a emergency global
doctrine put into effect to help combat the spread of Alzheimer’s disease via
the medical, surgical, dental, tissue, and blood arena’s. All human and animal
TSE prion disease, including Alzheimer’s should be made reportable in every
state, and Internationally, WITH NO age restrictions. Until a proven method of
decontamination and autoclaving is proven, and put forth in use universally, in
all hospitals and medical, surgical arena’s, or the TSE prion agent will
continue to spread. IF we wait until science and corporate politicians wait
until politics lets science _prove_ this once and for all, and set forth
regulations there from, we will all be exposed to the TSE Prion agents, if that
has not happened already.
end...tss
SEE FULL TEXT AND SOURCE REFERENCES ;
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Alzheimer’s disease and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy prion
disease, Iatrogenic, what if ?
Proposal ID: 29403
From:
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2012 8:20 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Subject: RE: re-submission
Dear Terry,
Yes, your proposal was accepted as a poster presentation. Please decline
the invitation if appropriate.
Best Regards,
______________________________________
Alzheimer’s Association – National Office
225 North Michigan Avenue – Floor 17
Chicago, Illinois 60601
=============snip...end...source reference...# 29403==========
Final Abstract Number: ISE.114
Session: International Scientific Exchange
Transmissible Spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) animal and human TSE in North
America update October 2009
T. Singeltary Bacliff, TX, USA
Background: An update on atypical BSE and other TSE in North America.
Please remember, the typical U.K. c-BSE, the atypical l-BSE (BASE), and h-BSE
have all been documented in North America, along with the typical scrapie's, and
atypical Nor-98 Scrapie, and to date, 2 different strains of CWD, and also TME.
All these TSE in different species have been rendered and feed to food producing
animals for humans and animals in North America (TSE in cats and dogs ?), and
that the trading of these TSEs via animals and products via the USA and Canada
has been immense over the years, decades.
Methods: 12 years independent research of available data
Results: I propose that the current diagnostic criteria for human TSEs only
enhances and helps the spreading of human TSE from the continued belief of the
UKBSEnvCJD only theory in 2009. With all the science to date refuting it, to
continue to validate this old myth, will only spread this TSE agent through a
multitude of potential routes and sources i.e. consumption, medical i.e.,
surgical, blood, dental, endoscopy, optical, nutritional supplements, cosmetics
etc.
Conclusion: I would like to submit a review of past CJD surveillance in the
USA, and the urgent need to make all human TSE in the USA a reportable disease,
in every state, of every age group, and to make this mandatory immediately
without further delay. The ramifications of not doing so will only allow this
agent to spread further in the medical, dental, surgical arena's. Restricting
the reporting of CJD and or any human TSE is NOT scientific. Iatrogenic CJD
knows NO age group, TSE knows no boundaries. I propose as with Aguzzi, Asante,
Collinge, Caughey, Deslys, Dormont, Gibbs, Gajdusek, Ironside, Manuelidis,
Marsh, et al and many more, that the world of TSE Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathy is far from an exact science, but there is enough proven science
to date that this myth should be put to rest once and for all, and that we move
forward with a new classification for human and animal TSE that would properly
identify the infected species, the source species, and then the route.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Clinically Unsuspected Prion Disease Among Patients With Dementia Diagnoses
in an Alzheimer’s Disease Database
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Evidence for α-synuclein prions causing multiple system atrophy in humans
with parkinsonism
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Iatrogenic CJD due to pituitary-derived growth hormone with genetically
determined incubation times of up to 40 years
Friday, January 10, 2014
vpspr, sgss, sffi, TSE, an iatrogenic by-product of gss, ffi, familial type
prion disease, what it ???
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
*** Minimise transmission risk of CJD and vCJD in healthcare settings
***
Last updated 15 May 2015
Monday, August 17, 2015
FDA Says Endoscope Makers Failed to Report Superbug Problems OLYMPUS
I told Olympus 15 years ago about these risk factors from endoscopy
equipment, disinfection, even spoke with the Doctor at Olympus, this was back in
1999. I tried to tell them that they were exposing patients to dangerous
pathogens such as the CJD TSE prion, because they could not properly clean them.
even presented my concern to a peer review journal GUT, that was going to
publish, but then it was pulled by Professor Michael Farthing et al... see ;
PRION 2015 ORAL AND POSTER CONGRESSIONAL ABSTRACTS
THANK YOU PRION 2015 TAYLOR & FRANCIS, Professor Chernoff, and
Professor Aguzzi et al, for making these PRION 2015 Congressional Poster and
Oral Abstracts available freely to the public. ...Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
O.05: Transmission of prions to primates after extended silent incubation
periods: Implications for BSE and scrapie risk assessment in human populations
Emmanuel Comoy, Jacqueline Mikol, Val erie Durand, Sophie Luccantoni,
Evelyne Correia, Nathalie Lescoutra, Capucine Dehen, and Jean-Philippe Deslys
Atomic Energy Commission; Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Prion diseases (PD) are the unique neurodegenerative proteinopathies
reputed to be transmissible under field conditions since decades. The
transmission of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) to humans evidenced that
an animal PD might be zoonotic under appropriate conditions. Contrarily, in the
absence of obvious (epidemiological or experimental) elements supporting a
transmission or genetic predispositions, PD, like the other proteinopathies, are
reputed to occur spontaneously (atpical animal prion strains, sporadic CJD
summing 80% of human prion cases). Non-human primate models provided the first
evidences supporting the transmissibiity of human prion strains and the zoonotic
potential of BSE. Among them, cynomolgus macaques brought major information for
BSE risk assessment for human health (Chen, 2014), according to their
phylogenetic proximity to humans and extended lifetime. We used this model to
assess the zoonotic potential of other animal PD from bovine, ovine and cervid
origins even after very long silent incubation periods. ***We recently observed
the direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to macaque after
a 10-year silent incubation period, with features similar to some reported for
human cases of sporadic CJD, albeit requiring fourfold longe incubation than
BSE. ***Scrapie, as recently evoked in humanized mice (Cassard, 2014), is the
third potentially zoonotic PD (with BSE and L-type BSE), ***thus questioning the
origin of human sporadic cases. We will present an updated panorama of our
different transmission studies and discuss the implications of such extended
incubation periods on risk assessment of animal PD for human health.
===============
***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases...
===============
***Our study demonstrates susceptibility of adult cattle to oral
transmission of classical BSE. ***
***our findings suggest that possible transmission risk of H-type BSE to
sheep and human. ***
P.86: Estimating the risk of transmission of BSE and scrapie to ruminants
and humans by protein misfolding cyclic amplification
Morikazu Imamura, Naoko Tabeta, Yoshifumi Iwamaru, and Yuichi Murayama
National Institute of Animal Health; Tsukuba, Japan
To assess the risk of the transmission of ruminant prions to ruminants and
humans at the molecular level, we investigated the ability of abnormal prion
protein (PrPSc) of typical and atypical BSEs (L-type and H-type) and typical
scrapie to convert normal prion protein (PrPC) from bovine, ovine, and human to
proteinase K-resistant PrPSc-like form (PrPres) using serial protein misfolding
cyclic amplification (PMCA).
Six rounds of serial PMCA was performed using 10% brain homogenates from
transgenic mice expressing bovine, ovine or human PrPC in combination with PrPSc
seed from typical and atypical BSE- or typical scrapie-infected brain
homogenates from native host species. In the conventional PMCA, the conversion
of PrPC to PrPres was observed only when the species of PrPC source and PrPSc
seed matched. However, in the PMCA with supplements (digitonin, synthetic polyA
and heparin), both bovine and ovine PrPC were converted by PrPSc from all tested
prion strains. On the other hand, human PrPC was converted by PrPSc from typical
and H-type BSE in this PMCA condition.
Although these results were not compatible with the previous reports
describing the lack of transmissibility of H-type BSE to ovine and human
transgenic mice, ***our findings suggest that possible transmission risk of
H-type BSE to sheep and human. Bioassay will be required to determine whether
the PMCA products are infectious to these animals.
================
***Our study demonstrates susceptibility of adult cattle to oral
transmission of classical BSE. ***
P.86: Estimating the risk of transmission of BSE and scrapie to ruminants
and humans by protein misfolding cyclic amplification
Morikazu Imamura, Naoko Tabeta, Yoshifumi Iwamaru, and Yuichi Murayama
National Institute of Animal Health; Tsukuba, Japan
To assess the risk of the transmission of ruminant prions to ruminants and
humans at the molecular level, we investigated the ability of abnormal prion
protein (PrPSc) of typical and atypical BSEs (L-type and H-type) and typical
scrapie to convert normal prion protein (PrPC) from bovine, ovine, and human to
proteinase K-resistant PrPSc-like form (PrPres) using serial protein misfolding
cyclic amplification (PMCA).
Six rounds of serial PMCA was performed using 10% brain homogenates from
transgenic mice expressing bovine, ovine or human PrPC in combination with PrPSc
seed from typical and atypical BSE- or typical scrapie-infected brain
homogenates from native host species. In the conventional PMCA, the conversion
of PrPC to PrPres was observed only when the species of PrPC source and PrPSc
seed matched. However, in the PMCA with supplements (digitonin, synthetic polyA
and heparin), both bovine and ovine PrPC were converted by PrPSc from all tested
prion strains. On the other hand, human PrPC was converted by PrPSc from typical
and H-type BSE in this PMCA condition.
Although these results were not compatible with the previous reports
describing the lack of transmissibility of H-type BSE to ovine and human
transgenic mice, ***our findings suggest that possible transmission risk of
H-type BSE to sheep and human. Bioassay will be required to determine whether
the PMCA products are infectious to these animals.
===============
***however in 1 C-type challenged animal, Prion 2015 Poster Abstracts S67
PrPsc was not detected using rapid tests for BSE.
***Subsequent testing resulted in the detection of pathologic lesion in
unusual brain location and PrPsc detection by PMCA only.
IBNC Tauopathy or TSE Prion disease, it appears, no one is sure
Posted by flounder on 03 Jul 2015 at 16:53 GMT
10 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997
10,000,000+ LBS. of PROHIBITED BANNED MAD COW FEED I.E. BLOOD LACED MBM IN
COMMERCE USA 2007
Date: March 21, 2007 at 2:27 pm PST
RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: VETERINARY MEDICINES -- CLASS II
PRODUCT
Bulk cattle feed made with recalled Darling's 85% Blood Meal, Flash Dried,
Recall # V-024-2007
CODE
Cattle feed delivered between 01/12/2007 and 01/26/2007
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Pfeiffer, Arno, Inc, Greenbush, WI. by conversation on February 5, 2007.
Firm initiated recall is ongoing.
REASON
Blood meal used to make cattle feed was recalled because it was cross-
contaminated with prohibited bovine meat and bone meal that had been
manufactured on common equipment and labeling did not bear cautionary BSE
statement.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
42,090 lbs.
DISTRIBUTION
WI
___________________________________
PRODUCT
Custom dairy premix products: MNM ALL PURPOSE Pellet, HILLSIDE/CDL Prot-
Buffer Meal, LEE, M.-CLOSE UP PX Pellet, HIGH DESERT/ GHC LACT Meal, TATARKA, M
CUST PROT Meal, SUNRIDGE/CDL PROTEIN Blend, LOURENZO, K PVM DAIRY Meal, DOUBLE B
DAIRY/GHC LAC Mineral, WEST PIONT/GHC CLOSEUP Mineral, WEST POINT/GHC LACT Meal,
JENKS, J/COMPASS PROTEIN Meal, COPPINI - 8# SPECIAL DAIRY Mix, GULICK, L-LACT
Meal (Bulk), TRIPLE J - PROTEIN/LACTATION, ROCK CREEK/GHC MILK Mineral,
BETTENCOURT/GHC S.SIDE MK-MN, BETTENCOURT #1/GHC MILK MINR, V&C DAIRY/GHC
LACT Meal, VEENSTRA, F/GHC LACT Meal, SMUTNY, A- BYPASS ML W/SMARTA, Recall #
V-025-2007
CODE
The firm does not utilize a code - only shipping documentation with
commodity and weights identified.
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Rangen, Inc, Buhl, ID, by letters on February 13 and 14, 2007. Firm
initiated recall is complete.
REASON
Products manufactured from bulk feed containing blood meal that was cross
contaminated with prohibited meat and bone meal and the labeling did not bear
cautionary BSE statement.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
9,997,976 lbs.
DISTRIBUTION
ID and NV
END OF ENFORCEMENT REPORT FOR MARCH 21, 2007
16 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997
2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED
VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OIA UPDATE DECEMBER 2013 UPDATE
17 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED
VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OAI UPDATE DECEMBER 2014 BSE TSE PRION
Australia
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Official Committee Hansard SENATE RURAL AND
REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT REFERENCES COMMITTEE Reference: Import
restrictions on beef FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2010 CANBERRA BY AUTHORITY OF THE
SENATE
RRA&T 2 Senate Friday, 5 February 2010 RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND
TRANSPORT
[9.03 am]
BELLINGER, Mr Brad, Chairman, Australian Beef Association
CARTER, Mr John Edward, Director, Australian Beef Association
CHAIR—Welcome. Would you like to make an opening statement?
Mr Bellinger—Thank you. The ABA stands by its submission, which we made on
14
December last year, that the decision made by the government to allow the
importation of beef from BSE affected countries is politically based, not
science based. During this hearing we will bring forward compelling new evidence
to back up this statement. When I returned to my property after the December
hearing I received a note from an American citizen. I will read a small excerpt
from the mail he sent me in order to reinforce the dangers of allowing the
importation of beef from BSE affected countries. I have done a number of press
releases on this topic, and this fellow has obviously picked my details up from
the internet. His name is Terry Singeltary and he is from Bacliff, Texas. He
states, and rightfully so:
snip...end
*** Singeltary reply ; Molecular, Biochemical and Genetic Characteristics
of BSE in Canada Singeltary reply ;
We have shown that cattle-adapted TME is the third cattle prion strain
(joining classical and L-type BSE) to be transmissible both to non-human
primates and transgenic mice overexpressing human PrP. However, the successful
transmission of raccoon TME to primate, inducing a disease with similar features
as cattle TME, extends this notion to TME-related strains independent of host
origin. Pathological, biochemical and bioassay investigations converged to
demonstrate the similarity between cattle-adapted TME and L-BSE.
I strenuously once again urge the FDA and its industry constituents, to
make it MANDATORY that all ruminant feed be banned to all ruminants, and this
should include all cervids as soon as possible for the following
reasons...
======
In the USA, under the Food and Drug Administrations BSE Feed Regulation (21
CFR 589.2000) most material (exceptions include milk, tallow, and gelatin) from
deer and elk is prohibited for use in feed for ruminant animals. With regards to
feed for non-ruminant animals, under FDA law, CWD positive deer may not be used
for any animal feed or feed ingredients. For elk and deer considered at high
risk for CWD, the FDA recommends that these animals do not enter the animal feed
system.
***However, this recommendation is guidance and not a requirement by law.
======
31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT
*** Ruminant feed ban for cervids in the United States? ***
Singeltary et al
31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT
PRION 2015 CONFERENCE FT. COLLINS CWD RISK FACTORS TO HUMANS
*** LATE-BREAKING ABSTRACTS PRION 2015 CONFERENCE ***
O18
Zoonotic Potential of CWD Prions
Liuting Qing1, Ignazio Cali1,2, Jue Yuan1, Shenghai Huang3, Diane Kofskey1,
Pierluigi Gambetti1, Wenquan Zou1, Qingzhong Kong1 1Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 2Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy,
3Encore Health Resources, Houston, Texas, USA
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a widespread and expanding prion disease
in free-ranging and captive cervid species in North America. The zoonotic
potential of CWD prions is a serious public health concern. Current literature
generated with in vitro methods and in vivo animal models (transgenic mice,
macaques and squirrel monkeys) reports conflicting results. The susceptibility
of human CNS and peripheral organs to CWD prions remains largely unresolved. In
our earlier bioassay experiments using several humanized transgenic mouse lines,
we detected protease-resistant PrPSc in the spleen of two out of 140 mice that
were intracerebrally inoculated with natural CWD isolates, but PrPSc was not
detected in the brain of the same mice. Secondary passages with such
PrPSc-positive CWD-inoculated humanized mouse spleen tissues led to efficient
prion transmission with clear clinical and pathological signs in both humanized
and cervidized transgenic mice. Furthermore, a recent bioassay with natural CWD
isolates in a new humanized transgenic mouse line led to clinical prion
infection in 2 out of 20 mice. These results indicate that the CWD prion has the
potential to infect human CNS and peripheral lymphoid tissues and that there
might be asymptomatic human carriers of CWD infection.
==================
***These results indicate that the CWD prion has the potential to infect
human CNS and peripheral lymphoid tissues and that there might be asymptomatic
human carriers of CWD infection.***
==================
P.105: RT-QuIC models trans-species prion transmission
Kristen Davenport, Davin Henderson, Candace Mathiason, and Edward Hoover
Prion Research Center; Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA
The propensity for trans-species prion transmission is related to the
structural characteristics of the enciphering and heterologous PrP, but the
exact mechanism remains mostly mysterious. Studies of the effects of primary or
tertiary prion protein structures on trans-species prion transmission have
relied primarily upon animal bioassays, making the influence of prion protein
structure vs. host co-factors (e.g. cellular constituents, trafficking, and
innate immune interactions) difficult to dissect. As an alternative strategy, we
used real-time quakinginduced conversion (RT-QuIC) to investigate trans-species
prion conversion.
To assess trans-species conversion in the RT-QuIC system, we compared
chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions,
as well as feline CWD (fCWD) and feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE). Each
prion was seeded into each host recombinant PrP (full-length rPrP of
white-tailed deer, bovine or feline). We demonstrated that fCWD is a more
efficient seed for feline rPrP than for white-tailed deer rPrP, which suggests
adaptation to the new host.
Conversely, FSE maintained sufficient BSE characteristics to more
efficiently convert bovine rPrP than feline rPrP. Additionally, human rPrP was
competent for conversion by CWD and fCWD. ***This insinuates that, at the level
of protein:protein interactions, the barrier preventing transmission of CWD to
humans is less robust than previously estimated.
================
***This insinuates that, at the level of protein:protein interactions, the
barrier preventing transmission of CWD to humans is less robust than previously
estimated.***
================
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Seven main threats for the future linked to prions
***Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently
sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. These atypical BSE cases
constitute an unforeseen first threat that could sharply modify the European
approach to prion diseases.
Second threat
snip...
Monday, October 10, 2011
EFSA Journal 2011 The European Response to BSE: A Success Story
snip...
*** but the possibility that a small proportion of human cases so far
classified as "sporadic" CJD are of zoonotic origin could not be excluded.
Moreover, transmission experiments to non-human primates suggest that some TSE
agents in addition to Classical BSE prions in cattle (namely L-type Atypical
BSE, Classical BSE in sheep, transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) and chronic
wasting disease (CWD) agents) might have zoonotic potential.
snip...
***In addition, non-human primates are specifically susceptible for
atypical BSE as demonstrated by an approximately 50% shortened incubation time
for L-type BSE as compared to C-type. Considering the current scientific
information available, it cannot be assumed that these different BSE types pose
the same human health risks as C-type BSE or that these risks are mitigated by
the same protective measures.
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:29 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Subject: THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE R. G. WILL
1984
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE
R. G. WILL
1984
*** The association between venison eating and risk of CJD shows similar
pattern, with regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK
OF CJD (p = 0.04). (SEE LINK IN REPORT HERE...TSS) PLUS, THE CDC DID NOT PUT
THIS WARNING OUT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE DEER AND ELK ;
snip...
Evidence That Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy Results from Feeding
Infected Cattle
Over the next 8-10 weeks, approximately 40% of all the adult mink on the
farm died from TME.
snip...
The rancher was a ''dead stock'' feeder using mostly (>95%) downer or
dead dairy cattle...
In Confidence - Perceptions of unconventional slow virus diseases of
animals in the USA - APRIL-MAY 1989 - G A H Wells
3. Prof. A. Robertson gave a brief account of BSE. The US approach was to
accord it a very low profile indeed. Dr. A Thiermann showed the picture in the
''Independent'' with cattle being incinerated and thought this was a fanatical
incident to be avoided in the US at all costs. ...
human cwd will NOT look like nvCJD. in fact, see ;
*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic
potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human
PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests
that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP
codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in
the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
*** FDA U.S. Measures to Protect Against BSE ***
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Singeltary, Sr et al.
JAMA.2001; 285: 733-734. Vol. 285 No. 6, February 14, 2001 JAMA
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
To the Editor: In their Research Letter, Dr Gibbons and colleagues1
reported that the annual US death rate due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
has been stable since 1985. These estimates, however, are based only on reported
cases, and do not include misdiagnosed or preclinical cases. It seems to me that
misdiagnosis alone would drastically change these figures. An unknown number of
persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in fact may have CJD, although
only a small number of these patients receive the postmortem examination
necessary to make this diagnosis. Furthermore, only a few states have made CJD
reportable. Human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies should be
reportable nationwide and internationally.
Terry S. Singeltary, Sr Bacliff, Tex
1. Gibbons RV, Holman RC, Belay ED, Schonberger LB. Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease in the United States: 1979-1998. JAMA. 2000;284:2322-2323. FREE FULL
TEXT
Views & Reviews
Monitoring the occurrence of emerging forms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in
the United States
Ermias D. Belay, MD, Ryan A. Maddox, MPH, Pierluigi Gambetti, MD and
Lawrence B. Schonberger, MD
+ Author Affiliations
From the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases (Drs. Belay and
Schonberger and R.A. Maddox), National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; and National Prion Disease
Pathology Surveillance Center (Dr. Gambetti), Division of Neuropathology,
Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Ermias D. Belay, 1600
Clifton Road, Mailstop A-39, Atlanta, GA 30333.
26 March 2003
Terry S. Singeltary, retired (medically) CJD WATCH
I lost my mother to hvCJD (Heidenhain Variant CJD). I would like to comment
on the CDC's attempts to monitor the occurrence of emerging forms of CJD.
Asante, Collinge et al [1] have reported that BSE transmission to the
129-methionine genotype can lead to an alternate phenotype that is
indistinguishable from type 2 PrPSc, the commonest sporadic CJD. However, CJD
and all human TSEs are not reportable nationally. CJD and all human TSEs must be
made reportable in every state and internationally. I hope that the CDC does not
continue to expect us to still believe that the 85%+ of all CJD cases which are
sporadic are all spontaneous, without route/source. We have many TSEs in the USA
in both animal and man. CWD in deer/elk is spreading rapidly and CWD does
transmit to mink, ferret, cattle, and squirrel monkey by intracerebral
inoculation. With the known incubation periods in other TSEs, oral transmission
studies of CWD may take much longer. Every victim/family of CJD/TSEs should be
asked about route and source of this agent. To prolong this will only spread the
agent and needlessly expose others. In light of the findings of Asante and
Collinge et al, there should be drastic measures to safeguard the medical and
surgical arena from sporadic CJDs and all human TSEs. I only ponder how many
sporadic CJDs in the USA are type 2 PrPSc?
The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 3, Issue 8, Page 463, August 2003
doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(03)00715-1Cite or Link Using DOI
Tracking spongiform encephalopathies in North America
Original
Xavier Bosch
“My name is Terry S Singeltary Sr, and I live in Bacliff, Texas. I lost my
mom to hvCJD (Heidenhain variant CJD) and have been searching for answers ever
since. What I have found is that we have not been told the truth. CWD in deer
and elk is a small portion of a much bigger problem.” 49-year—old Singeltary is
one of a number of people who have remained largely unsatisfied after being told
that a close relative died from a rapidly progressive dementia compatible with
spontaneous Creutzfeldt—Jakob ...
2 January 2000
British Medical Journal
U.S. Scientist should be concerned with a CJD epidemic in the U.S., as well
15 November 1999
British Medical Journal
vCJD in the USA * BSE in U.S.
PLEASE REMEMBER ;
The Akron, Ohio-based CJD Foundation said the Center for Disease Control
revised that number in October of 2004 to about one in 9,000 CJD cases per year
in the population group age 55 and older.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR CJD QUESTIONNAIRE ASKING REAL QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO
ROUTE AND SOURCE OF THE TSE AGENT THAT KILLED YOUR LOVED ONE ???
if not, why not...
Friday, November 30, 2007
CJD QUESTIONNAIRE USA CWRU AND CJD FOUNDATION ???
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.