vCJD prions can be removed from blood

New research results have confirmed that infectious variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) prions that cause the human form of “mad cow disease” can be removed from blood. The study found that a new filtration technology from Pall Corporation reduces infectious vCJD prions from red blood cell concentrates, the most commonly transfused blood component. The study concluded that the new filter can be used to remove different strains of infectious prions, including vCJD.