Two more Americans died after contracting the virus Pseudomonas aeruginosadrug-resistant bacteria linked to eye drops, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
The bacterium has already been detected in 16 states, the CDC reports in its latest outbreak update, and the only previous fatality of the 68 cases is a man from Washington state.
However, another eight patients out of that total were reported to have lost their sight permanently, and four had to have their eyeballs removed.
According to CNNthe eye care product that connects everything are eye drops lubricant artificial tears, manufactured by the Indian company Global Pharma Healthcare, and distributed in the United States by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma.
they made the first one withdrawal of sales at the counter in early February as a precaution while public health researchers tried to track down the bacteria.
Delsam’s artificial eye ointment was also withdrawn from the market shortly after the recommendation US Food and Drug Administrationwhile two other lines of eye drops from Pharmedica USA and Apotex have also been temporarily withdrawn, although neither is linked to the current outbreak.
In its statement, the CDC recommends that patients who have used any of the recalled products and subsequently develop signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek immediate medical attention.
Bad symptoms which should be kept in mind are: yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye; pain, discomfort or redness around the eye and increased sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
A special strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa involved in the outbreak is considered extremely rare and has never been detected in the United States beforesays the CDC.
It has been shown to be immune to the effects of at least 12 different antibiotics in laboratory tests, making it difficult to treat, although the public health agency says researchers at the University of California, San Diego have identified a bacteriophage virus that could fight it.
“The approach we have is to respond to inquiries from doctors about patients they believe could benefit from phage therapy. In the event that phages could be useful for a particular patient, we work with the doctor,” he told CBS News dr. Robert Schooley, co-director of the university’s Center for Innovative Therapies and Phage Applications.
He added that no patients have yet received phage treatment, as his team is still investigating “the complexities of obtaining and using them.”
Translation of Michelle Padilla