Syringes Infected With Bacteria Caused Several Blood Infections In Texas And Illinois

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. [click link for full article]

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Filed under: Blood on December 20th, 2007