24 yr old man with human form of mad cow disease confounds doctors

Monday, 29 December 2008

The world’s longest known survivor of the human form of mad cow disease has once again confounded medical experts.

Belfast man Jonathan Simms — who was diagnosed with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) seven years ago — spend the Christmas period in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s intensive care unit.

At one stage, the 24-year-old man’s condition was described as “critical” as he battled a serious chest infection

However, his condition is now thought to be “non life-threatening”.

When the talented footballer was diagnosed with vCJD seven years ago when he was aged 17, medics gave him just months to live.

However, he defied all odds and with the love and support of his family and particularly his parents Karen and Don, Jonathan has amazed the medical profession by not only surviving but displaying small but significant signs of improvement.

A neighbour of the Simms family told our sister paper The Sunday Life: “People were concerned when they learned Jonathan was in hospital but apparently he is making progress.

“We understand he picked up a chest infection which has nothing to do with CJV.

“We’ve heard he has improved and his condition is not life-threatening.”

When contacted about his son’s condition, Don Simms would not revealed why Jonathan had spent Christmas in hospital and said: “I have no comment to make at this time.”

The Simms family were forced to embark on a lengthy court battle to allow Jonathan access to a controversial new drug.

During an internet search, Don discovered the existence of Pentosan Polysulphate — a blood-thinning and anti-inflammatory therapy which had only previously been tested on animals.

After taking his fight to the High Court in London, Don won the right for his son to be given the controversial treatment via an infusion into his brain. The treatment proved successful and three years ago, a young man who was previously given months to live by the medical profession was no longer classed as terminally ill.

He is now the world’s longest survivor of CJD and is currently recovering in hospital from a chest infection that at one stage looked like it might claim his life.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/belfast-man-with-human-form-of-mad-cow-disease-confounds-doctors-14121942.html