Brain Abscess

CJD

Marker Type Specificity Sensitivity Reliability
RT-QuIC Prion-specific ~100% ~92% High (Gold Standard)
14-3-3 Protein Neuronal damage Low (~70-80%) ~90% Moderate (Non-specific)
S100b Glial damage Low Moderate Rarely used now
Total Tau (t-tau) Neuronal damage Low High Very high levels (>1250 pg/mL) suggest CJD
  1. Note that RT-QuIC is very sensitive for sporadic CJD but is less reliable for variant CJD (associated with "mad cow disease").
  2. Infection Control: Prions are resistant to standard sterilization. Any lumbar puncture needle or surgical tool used on a suspected CJD patient requires special "quarantine" or disposal protocols.

Meningitis and Encephalitis