One Patient Dies, Second Becomes Ill From Donated Kidneys
Organs from a homeless, "high-risk" donor were infected with a deadly virus.
May 13, 2008— -- BOSTON (AP) - State health officials say one patient died andanother became critically ill after receiving kidneys at Bostonhospitals from a donor who carried an undetected virus.
The Boston Globe reports the donor was a 49-year-old homelessman. Doctors were unaware that the man was a carrier of a virusknown as LCMV, which also killed three transplant patients fromMassachusetts and Rhode Island in 2005.
Officials said the organs were tested for more easily detectableinfections, such as hepatitis and the virus that causes AIDS. Butthere is no quick test for LCMV.
A 70-year-old woman died in March after receiving one of thedonor's kidneys. A 57-year-old man who received the other kidneybecame seriously ill.
The donor was considered "high-risk" because he was homeless,but both patients reportedly agreed to the transplants because oftheir worsening medical conditions.
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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)