20 Rush Patients Sickened By Tainted Syringes

CHICAGO (AP) -- Federal officials are investigating dozens of blood infections in Illinois and Texas linked to bacteria-contaminated syringes.

About 40 people have been sickened, including 20 outpatients from Chicago's Rush University Medical Center. Doctors traced the infections earlier this month to heparin-filled syringes used during home treatment for cancer and other ailments.

The syringes are used to flush catheters and intravenous lines.

The culprit is Serratia bacteria. It was found in a batch of pre-filled syringes made in North Carolina by a company called Sierra Pre-Filled.

The potentially serious infections can cause fever and chills. Federal officials say there're no known deaths.

The company recalled the affected lot.

Public health officials says the syringes were also sent to three other states.

Print Page

Email This Page

Featured Audio

The Bears Report: Tom Thayer
WBBM Game Day Analyst Tom Thayer, with our Josh Liss, sizes up Sunday's matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

Gardening Tips For Nov. 7, 2009
Tips on maintaining your garden, plants and flowers year-round.

President Obama's Weekly Address
President Obama honors the heroism of those at Fort Hood by paying tribute to those who were killed, those who were wounded and those who extended a helping hand.

Republican Response to Weekly Address
In the Weekly Republican Address, Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS) reflects on this week's elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and discusses why he thinks independents showed overwhelming support for the Republican Party.

Oprah Winfrey moving her show from Chicago?
Veteran Entertainment Journalist and LA Weekly Hollywood, Nikki Finke joins Kris and Sherman during the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss the possibility of Oprah Winfrey moving her show from Chicago to Los Angles.