Dr Christiane Stehmann1
1Australian National CJD Registry, The Florey
Biography:
Christiane is the coordinator of the Australian National CJD Registry, responsible for the day to day operations of the group and its interactions with clinicians and patient families.
Christiane graduated from Stuttgart-Hohenheim University, Germany (with honours in biology) and was awarded a PhD from Wagnening University, the Netherlands. Christiane then completed a post doc at University of Melbourne, worked as a Research Scientist at HortResearch in Auckland and then moved into a commercial role with Perkin Elmer managing the high throughput screening and proteomics technologies businesses. A four-year stint with Biotech start up Healthlinx as proteomics laboratory manager further rounded out her business and people skills which she now puts to effective use in her role at the ANCJDR, her most fulfilling role to date.
Abstract:
A Working Group to review the 2013 CJD Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines and Case Definitions was convened in April 2024 and has met ten times so far thereafter. This presentation will provide an update on the deliberations of the group and the proposed but not yet formally ratified changes which include:
(1) case definitions – accommodating MRI and RT-QuIC diagnostic techniques,
(2) patient risk categories – change of status of Australian recipients of cadaver derived human pituitary hormones,
(3) infectivity of human tissues and fluids – adding further details, but no essential change,
(4) risk assessment – no change,
(5) additional reprocessing procedures – providing updated information,
(6) look-back and patient notification process – providing additional guidance,
(7) updating infection prevention and control guidance for organ donations, dentistry, post-mortem examinations and the funeral industry.