Heparin filled syringes that were tainted with Serratia marcescens bacteria have made at least 40 people ill in Illinois and Texas, and perhaps some other states. 20 of them were outpatients from Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, of whom 14 had to be hospitalized. They were all given antibiotics, responded well, and just one remains in hospital.
Heparin thins the blood; it is commonly used to clear out intravenous lines and catheters. Rush University says patients commonly use Heparin for cancer treatment, as well as several other conditions.
The batch which held the tainted syringes was made by Sierra Pre-Filled, Angier, North Carolina, USA. Authorities say Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania have also received syringes from the same batch – however, no sicknesses linked to them have been reported in those states yet. Affected patients experience an elevated body temperature as well as chills. Although the condition has responded well to antibiotics, it can become serious.
Sierra Pre-Filled says it is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The company has recalled the lot in question – Lot 070926H. Authorities and the company warn that more cases could appear until every syringe has been found and accounted for – it is crucial that doctors and health care professionals know about this alert.
Authorities say that anybody who does not feel well and thinks he/she was administered medication with one of these syringes should contact their doctor immediately.
It is still not known whether the syringes were the source of the contamination or the heparin medication. The CDC says it is working on the genetic fingerprinting on the bacteria to identify exactly how it may have contaminated the syringes.
About Serratia marcescens
S. marcescens is known to cause several eye infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, and tear duct infections. It is also commonly found in respiratory and urinary tracts of adults and children’s intestines. Most strains of this bacterium are resistant to the majority of antibiotics (fortunately, in this case, all patients responded well to the antibiotics).
S. marcescens is commonly present in the environment – it prefers damp conditions and thrives in bathrooms. Sometimes it can be identified in bathrooms with the naked eye when the tile grout becomes pinkish.
More information about S. marcescens