ARS TECHNICA – For the second time, contaminated bone graft products from the medical company Aziyo Biologics Inc. are linked to a highly unusual and deadly outbreak of tuberculosis. [Aziyo Biologics is located in Silver Spring, MD. – HH]
This week, three new tuberculosis cases were identified, bringing the outbreak total to five, according to Politico. One person has died.
The contaminated material, used for surgical and dental procedures, was implanted in at least 36 other patients, who are now being treated as if they have tuberculosis.
Aziyo Biologics issued a recall of all of its bone matrix products earlier this month “out of an abundance of caution” after the first two cases were identified.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that all unused products from the affected lot have been sequestered so that they will not be used.
The affected materials had been sent to health care facilities in California, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.
A representative for Aziyo did not immediately respond to Ars’ request for comment. In the recall announcement, Aziyos CEO Randy Mills said:
“We are taking immediate action to safeguard patients by implementing a full product recall as we work with the CDC to investigate this event. The people of Aziyo care deeply about the patients we serve and will continue to work with the medical community, patients, and regulatory authorities as we gather additional information.”
Tuberculosis outbreaks linked to transplanted tissue are very rare, yet this isn’t the first time Aziyo’s bone graft products have been linked to such an outbreak …
Beth is Ars Technica’s Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes.
