Vascular Complications of Fungal Meningitis After Contaminated Spinal Injections

At Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., a case series by researchers examined three patients with ischemic stroke who later received a diagnosis of fungal meningitis attributed to epidural injections of contaminated methylprednisolone for low back pain.

At Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., a case series by researchers examined three patients with ischemic stroke who later received a diagnosis of fungal meningitis attributed to epidural injections of contaminated methylprednisolone for low back pain.

The recent identification of injections of contaminated methylprednisolone acetate has highlighted the different clinical presentations of fungal meningitis, which can have an incubation period of one to four weeks between the last spinal injection and when a patient seeks medical care.

Congress Slams US Health Officials on Tainted Drugs That Caused Deadly Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
US lawmakers severely criticized federal and state health officials Wednesday for failing to properly police a pharma company whose tainted drugs caused a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak.

"Fungal meningitis due to injections of contaminated methylprednisolone acetate can present with vascular sequelae in immunocompetent individuals. This is particularly germane to neurologists because better recognition of clinical characteristics of patients with fungal meningitis and ischemic stroke will provide more timely and efficient care," the paper concludes.

Source-Eurekalert

Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: What We Know and Don't Know About It
A physician recalls lessons learned from treating patients affected by the 2002 outbreak of dermatitidis meningitis or arthritis related to contaminated, injectable coticosteroids.

ZOLOFT Docks Capable of Combatting Fungal Meningitis, So Verify Texas A&M Biologists
Among the extensively prescribed antidepressants, ZOLOFT® , as well packs a potential preventative bonus, potent mechanisms capable of inhibiting lethal fungal infections, suggests new research.

Scientists Identify Blood Cells To Predict Fatal Fungal Infections Risk In HIV+ Patients
A team of scientists have identified cells in blood that can help predict which HIV-positive individuals are most likely to develop deadly fungal meningitis.