Two more hospitals have reported that some of their patients were infected by the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae also known as the CRE "superbug."
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center reported that 179 patients may have been exposed to CRE, 7 patients were infected—contributing to two of their deaths. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles reported Thursday that 67 of their patients were potentially exposed to the deadly bacteria with four confirmed infections. Hartford Hospital, reported 180 patients may have been exposed and at least 5 patients were infected.
CNN reported that the $30,000 duodenoscope used on the infected patients was often cleaned with a $1 toothbrush. The scope, made by Olympus Corp, has a hard-to-clean elevator channel which may have carried the germs into patients' bodies.
Once inside the body, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria contaminate the bacteria in the gallbladder or pancreas.
Antibiotics usually work by rupturing the cell walls of uncontaminated bacteria. But, bacteria with antibiotic resistant genes are able to defend themselves by throwing antibiotics out of the cell, by degrading the antibiotic or by altering the antibiotic.
Superbug infections affect the hosts' lungs or bladder and may cause death in up to 50% of cases according to the CDC.
The TJF-Q180V duodenoscope is made by Olympus Corp who never asked for clearance to sell it on the market according to the FDA Deputy Director of Strategy Karen Riley.
Cedars is offering free at-home-test kits to 67 other patients who had similar procedures. UCLA provided text kits to 170 patients.
This type of scope is used on about 500,000 patients every year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said 135 patients may have been infected by contaminated scopes in 2013 and 2014.
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