Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak nears 500 cases
The nationwide fungal meningitis and other infections linked to the use of injectable steroids from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) grows nearer to 500 cases, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update Monday.
Photomicrograph showing fine branching tubes of Exserohilum rostratum/ CDC
As of Nov. 19, there were 490 cases of meningitis and joint infections related to the tainted steroid reported in 19 states. Of this number, there were 34 deaths.
Michigan reports the most cases at 164, followed by Tennessee (82), Indiana (55) and Virginia (50).
According to the case definition for this outbreak investigation, a person who is considered a probable case if he or she received a preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) injection, with preservative-free MPA that definitely or likely came from one of the following three lots produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) [05212012@68, 06292012@26, 08102012@51], and subsequently developed any of the following:
- Meningitis of unknown etiology following epidural or paraspinal injection after May 21, 2012;
- Posterior circulation stroke without a cardioembolic source and without documentation of a normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile, following epidural or paraspinal injection after May 21, 2012;
- Osteomyelitis, abscess or other infection (e.g., soft tissue infection) of unknown etiology, in the spinal or paraspinal structures at or near the site of injection following epidural or paraspinal injection2 after May 21, 2012; or
- Osteomyelitis or worsening inflammatory arthritis of a peripheral joint (e.g., knee, shoulder, or ankle) of unknown etiology diagnosed following joint injection after May 21, 2012.
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