Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Donors with dementia without a known etiology raise specific concerns about the possibility of undiagnosed Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), which is a rare but fatal neurodegenerative disorder. CJD is characterized by cognitive decline and can present similarly to other types of dementia, making it challenging to identify without extensive testing. This concern is critical in a tissue banking context because CJD can be transmitted through transplanted tissues, posing risks to recipients.

Additionally, since CJD can remain asymptomatic in its early stages, a donor exhibiting dementia-like symptoms might inadvertently be a carrier of the disease without a definitive diagnosis, thereby increasing the risk of transmitting it through transplantation. This highlights the importance of thorough screening and evaluation of donors presenting with dementia to ensure that tissues are safe for use and to mitigate any potential health risks to recipients.

The other concerns regarding undiagnosed viral infections, hereditary conditions, and substance abuse issues, while relevant in their own rights, do not specifically address the unique risks associated with a dementia diagnosis that may stem from something as serious as CJD.