Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a cautionary alert regarding a potential outbreak of extrapulmonary infections among three patients who underwent stem cell injections in Mexico during the year 2022. According to a recent CDC report dated May 9, the infections were attributed to Mycobacterium abscessus, a bacterium notorious for causing bacterial meningitis.
The CDC’s investigation revealed that the patients received stem cell treatments for various conditions at different clinics across Mexico. One patient underwent intrathecal injections of embryonic stem cells in Baja California to manage multiple sclerosis, while another received similar injections to address psoriatic arthritis, also in Baja California. The third patient received stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis at a clinic in Guadalajara. As of March 2024, medical teams were still actively treating these patients for the infection.
However, it’s important to note that the efficacy of stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis and arthritis remains unproven, as ongoing research continues to explore potential treatments for these conditions.
In response to these cases, the CDC underscores the importance for healthcare providers and public health agencies to remain vigilant, particularly regarding stem cell treatments not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The CDC emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the risk of M. abscessus infections associated with such unapproved procedures.
According to Live Science, the sole stem cell products currently approved in the United States are those containing precursors to various blood cells, specifically intended to treat disorders affecting blood production. Stem cell therapies beyond this scope lack FDA approval.
The bacteria responsible for the reported infections, Mycobacterium abscessus, is classified as a non-tuberculous mycobacteria and is notoriously challenging to treat. It is distantly related to pathogens associated with tuberculosis and leprosy, commonly found in soil, water, and dust. Medical settings occasionally encounter this bacterium due to its ability to contaminate medications and medical devices, leading to infections.
Symptoms of infection with Mycobacterium abscessus include boils, pus-filled lesions (in cases of skin infections), fever, shaking chills, muscle pain (in soft tissue infections), and potential invasion of the bloodstream.
Treatment involves the surgical removal of infected tissues, drainage of pus, and long-term antibiotic therapy to effectively combat the infection.
This recent alert from the CDC serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with unapproved stem cell treatments and underscores the importance of adhering to established regulatory standards to ensure patient safety and well-being. Vigilance among healthcare providers and regulatory bodies remains paramount in addressing emerging health concerns associated with medical interventions.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a cautionary alert regarding a potential outbreak of extrapulmonary infections among three patients who underwent stem cell injections in Mexico during the year 2022. According to a recent CDC report dated May 9, the infections were attributed to Mycobacterium abscessus, a bacterium notorious for causing bacterial meningitis.
