Update: allograft-associated bacterial infections--United States, 2002.
Tissue allografts are commonly used in orthopedic surgical procedures; in 1999, approximately 650,000 musculoskeletal allografts were distributed by tissue processors (1). A rare complication of musculoskeletal allografts is bacterial infection (2,3). After the reported death of a recipient of an allograft contaminated with Clostridium spp. (an anaerobic spore and toxin-forming organism) (3), CDC investigated this case and solicited additional reports of allograft-associated infections; 26 cases have been identified. This report summarizes the investigation of these cases and describes additional steps given to a tissue processor to enhance tissue transplant safety.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000209:etiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013242:Sterilization; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019737:Transplants / Q000382:microbiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology