Fungal meningitis outbreak associated to contaminated steroid shots (methylprednisolone) obliges the USA to conduct important research and implement control actions

Abstract

The fundamental aspects of American journalistic reports of October 3, 20 and 26 of 2012, including opinions, among others, of distinguished specialists in the field of the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, on a current outbreak of 313 cases of fungal meningitis in a total of 14,000 people belonging to 23 states. These people had received epidural injections in the spine or periarticular of methylprednisolone acetate from three lots contaminated with various species of fungi of exogenous origin, distributed by a pharmaceutical company in Framingham, Massachusetts. Of those 313 cases, 25 people died. Towards the end of October, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) officially communicated the finding of intense fungal and bacterial contamination in the laboratories of the company involved, declaring it out of control. The main objective of the work is to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge of the important problem in our region to be alert to the possibility of similar or comparable situations and their correct prevention. Some structural characteristics and the national clinical experience regarding Exserohilum rostratum, the main fungal species responsible for the commented outbreak, are discussed.