Leukemia patient sues manufacturer of syringes contaminated with virus
Reported December 22, 2007
CHICAGO – A leukemia patient has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a batch of pre-filled syringes that were contaminated with bacteria, claiming they made her violently sick.
Katie Abrams, 30, of Buffalo Grove, was hospitalized for nine days as a result of using the syringes at home, according to the complaint filed Friday in state court.
She “became ill with uncontrollable shaking, vomiting and a fever that reached as high as 105.5 degrees Fahrenheit (40.8 degrees Celsius),” according to the lawsuit.
Earlier this month, doctors traced numerous infections to heparin-filled syringes used during home treatment for cancer and other ailments. About 40 people were sickened in Illinois and Texas.
The syringes, made by Sierra Pre-Filled of Angier, N.C., are used to flush catheters and intravenous lines.
The bacteria Serratia marcescens was found in a single lot of syringes, which has been recalled.
Dushyant Patel, president of Sierra Pre-Filled, told The Associated Press on Saturday he was not aware of the lawsuit and couldn’t comment.
Abrams’ complaint does not specify a dollar value on damages.
Her lawyer, David Rapoport, said he believes it is the first suit over the tainted syringes.
Rapoport said his client is recovering and not making public comments about the lawsuit.
Infections caused by the bacteria could be life-threatening, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in announcing the company’s voluntary recall.
Consumers who have the recalled syringes should stop using the product immediately, the FDA said. The product was distributed to Florida, Texas, Illinois, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
FDA inspectors found the company failed to have adequate controls for ensuring sterility of the syringes.