• News
  • Media
  • Conferences
  • Publication
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
  • Educator of the Year

News

CDC, FDA Provide Update on Meningitis Outbreak Associated with Fungus-Tainted Injectible Steroid

On Oct. 4, 2012, the CDC and FDA hosted a briefing to discuss the multi-state investigation of meningitis among patients who have received epidural steroid injections. According to Benjamin Park, MD, medical officer, Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the CDC, there have been 35 cases in six states: Tennessee (25), North Carolina 1), Florida (2), Virginia (4), Maryland (2) and Indiana (1). There have been five deaths: three in Tennessee, one in Virginia, and one in Maryland.

Tennessee Department of Health and CDC Investigating Meningitis Cases

The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating cases of meningitis involving 11 patients treated at one outpatient surgical center/pain management clinic in Nashville and one patient treated at a facility in another state. The form of meningitis in these patients is not transmitted from person to person and the cause for the cluster of cases is not known. Two patients related to this cluster of meningitis have died.

Bringing a High-Level Disinfectant and Automated Endoscope Reprocessor to Market

The intent of this article is to answer some questions regarding which government agency or department regulates different classes of antimicrobials (disinfectants, sterilants), as well what is required to develop a 510(k) submission package for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, comment and ultimate clearance related to new high-level disinfectants (HLDs) and automated endoscope reprocessor (AERs).