Results from Clinical Findings on the Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, as of July 1, 2013, a total of 749 outbreak-associated cases and 61 deaths have been reported. An investigation was done and the report was based off data from patients with probable or confirmed infection who were admitted to a hospital or emergency room before November 19, 2012, in the six states with the highest number of cases (Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia).

Results from report:

“Clinical data were obtained for 328 of the 478 patients (69%) in whom fungal meningitis or another infection was diagnosed on or before November 19, 2012. Of these patients, a majority were from either Michigan (126 patients [38%]) or Tennessee (80 patients [24%]).”

“There were 26 deaths among the 328 patients who were included in this analysis. Among those who died, 22 (85%) had stroke, 1 (4%) had arachnoiditis without stroke, 1 (4%) had meningitis only, and 2 (8%) had meningitis with epidural abscess. Most deaths (58%) occurred before October 15, 2012.” Nine patients  (3%) died before receiving antifungal therapy; all these patients died before October 8, 2012.”

To learn more about the fungal meningitis outbreak or to receive a free case evaluation from the defective medical drug attorneys at Zoll, Kranz & Borgess, LLC call toll-free (888)841-9623.