{"id":"7422084b-5249-49ac-8671-f07069ffbf3b","slug":"reassessing-donor-recipient-screening-practices-in-light-of-iatrogenic-cerebral-amyloid-angiopathy-medicolegal-aspects-a-letter-to-the-editor","title":"Reassessing donor/recipient screening practices in light of iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Medicolegal aspects – A letter to the editor","authors":["Senta Frol","Matija Zupan","Bruno Splavski"],"abstract":"Background: The expanding literature on iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (iCAA) raises important medicolegal and ethical concerns regarding organ and tissue donor programs. Iatrogenic transmission of pathologically misfolded prion-like proteins, including amyloid-β (Aβ), can occur through transplanted tissues and contaminated surgical instruments, particularly in neurosurgery. Summary: This letter highlights the need for a critical reevaluation of donor screening procedures in light of the potential transmission risks associated with Aβ pathology. Current donor eligibility criteria often overlook individuals with a history of neurosurgery or blood transfusions, which may pose a risk of transmitting Aβ to recipients. Enhanced awareness and rigorous screening protocols are essential to ensure the safety of transplantation practices. Conclusion: The medical community must consider excluding potential donors with lobar intracerebral hemorrhage and a medical history suggesting exposure to amyloid-contaminated materials. Until definitive risk assessment tools are available, transparent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial to uphold safety standards in organ and tissue transplantation. Keywords: iatrogenic, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, donor screening, transplantation, medicolegal, neurosurgery, amyloid-β, ethical concerns","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/general-neurosurgery.png","publishDate":"2025-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_596_2025","categories":["General Neurosurgery","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/13839/SNI-16-357.pdf"}