Multi-State Investigation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). and the Food and Drug Administration in a multi-state investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who had received the epidural steroid injection.

Several patients across the United States have also had strokes that are believed to have resulted from their infection and at least four deaths have been reported.

Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person. A potentially contaminated product is suspected to be the cause of the outbreak. Investigation into the exact source is still ongoing.

Data has determined that all infected patients received injection with preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) prepared by the New England Compounding Center, of Framingham, Mass. The lots of medication, listed below, that were used on infected patients have been recalled.

• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012
• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012
• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013

The company has voluntarily recalled this product, which was distributed in 23 states, including Indiana. The exact source of infection remains uncertain.

Patients who have had any injection (e.g., spinal, joint) using any of the three lots of methylprednisolone acetate listed above will be contacted by the facility in which they received it.

Patients who have received a steroid injection since July 1, 2012, and are experiencing symptoms such as a new or worsening headache, fever, neck stiffness or pain at the injection site, should contact their physician to determine if they have received one of the recalled products and to receive further instruction. Only people who have received an injection with these lot numbers are known to be at risk.

Patients should consult with their health care providers if they have questions.

To learn more about fungal meningitis, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THIS STERIOD OR YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE SUFFERING FROM MENINGITIS – CALL CARABIN SHAW LAW FIRM AT 800-862-1260.