At least 96 dead after receiving contaminated medical fentanyl in Argentina
Medical tests revealed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii -- strains that, in several cases, were resistant to multiple antibiotics.Investigators traced the contamination to batches of fentanyl produced by pharmaceutical company HLB Pharma and its laboratory partner, Laboratorio Ramallo as reported by The Guardian.Argentina's drug regulator, Anmat, confirmed the presence of bacterial contamination both in samples taken from deceased patients and in ampoules from two specific fentanyl batches. One of these had been "widely circulated," federal judge Ernesto Kreplak, who is leading the investigation, told local media.COMPANY DENIES DIRECT RESPONSIBILITYAriel Garca Furfaro, owner of HLB Pharma, rejected claims that the deaths could be directly linked to his company's product. In an interview with La Nación, he said the firm had voluntarily pulled the fentanyl from the market and suggested the contamination may have been deliberate sabotage.The contaminated medication was reportedly distributed to hospitals in Buenos Aires province, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Formosa and Buenos Aires city. Authorities believe more than 300,000 ampoules may have been affected, with approximately 45,000 administered before the rest were recalled and seized.Patients who received the contaminated fentanyl had been hospitalised for unrelated medical conditions but rapidly deteriorated after infection with the multidrug-resistant bacteria.Although the contaminated batches have been recalled, new cases linked to the fentanyl continue to emerge.No criminal charges have yet been filed, but 24 individuals connected to the manufacture and distribution of the fentanyl have been named as suspects. The court has imposed travel bans on them and frozen their assets.WHAT IS THE MEDICAL USE OF FENTANYL?Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approved for pain management and anaesthesia, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In this case, the contamination -- rather than the drug's chemical properties -- is blamed for the deaths, making it one of the most smost serious drug contamination incidents in Argentina's history.- Ends
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India Today
a day ago
- India Today
At least 96 dead after receiving contaminated medical fentanyl in Argentina
Argentina is facing one of its most serious pharmaceutical scandals in decades, with up to 96 people reported dead after receiving hospital treatment with medical fentanyl contaminated by dangerous bacteria, according to The official death toll remains at 87. However, the Buenos Aires Herald reported that nine additional deaths are being examined to determine whether they are linked to the tainted TRACED TO MEDICAL FENTANYLThe crisis first came to light in May when dozens of patients in hospitals developed severe bacterial infections shortly after being administered fentanyl for pain relief or anaesthesia. Medical tests revealed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii -- strains that, in several cases, were resistant to multiple traced the contamination to batches of fentanyl produced by pharmaceutical company HLB Pharma and its laboratory partner, Laboratorio Ramallo as reported by The drug regulator, Anmat, confirmed the presence of bacterial contamination both in samples taken from deceased patients and in ampoules from two specific fentanyl batches. One of these had been "widely circulated," federal judge Ernesto Kreplak, who is leading the investigation, told local DENIES DIRECT RESPONSIBILITYAriel Garca Furfaro, owner of HLB Pharma, rejected claims that the deaths could be directly linked to his company's product. In an interview with La Nación, he said the firm had voluntarily pulled the fentanyl from the market and suggested the contamination may have been deliberate contaminated medication was reportedly distributed to hospitals in Buenos Aires province, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Formosa and Buenos Aires city. Authorities believe more than 300,000 ampoules may have been affected, with approximately 45,000 administered before the rest were recalled and who received the contaminated fentanyl had been hospitalised for unrelated medical conditions but rapidly deteriorated after infection with the multidrug-resistant the contaminated batches have been recalled, new cases linked to the fentanyl continue to criminal charges have yet been filed, but 24 individuals connected to the manufacture and distribution of the fentanyl have been named as suspects. The court has imposed travel bans on them and frozen their IS THE MEDICAL USE OF FENTANYL?Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approved for pain management and anaesthesia, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In this case, the contamination -- rather than the drug's chemical properties -- is blamed for the deaths, making it one of the most smost serious drug contamination incidents in Argentina's history.- Ends
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
At least 87 people die in Argentina after being treated with medical-use fentanyl tainted with bacteria: Reports
At least 87 people have died in Argentina after being treated with medical-use fentanyl that was tainted with bacteria, reports said. According to Buenos Aires Herald, the investigation started in May, when the first nine people were confirmed to have died of an infection caused by fentanyl produced by pharmaceutical company HLB Pharma and its laboratory Laboratorio Ramallo. Since then, La Plata Federal Judge Ernesto Kreplak, from the Buenos Aires province judiciary, has been leading an investigation to trace the full number of victims and those responsible. Argentine food and drug regulator ANMAT, Buenos Aires Herald added, ordered all health centers in Argentina to stop using their fentanyl batch, and ordered the companies to halt all production. Last week, a media outlet reported that HLB Pharma had been authorized to purchase certificates to manufacture medicines. However, ANMAT refuted the article in a communiqué and stressed that the laboratory 'cannot carry out any activity related to the manufacture, fractionation, import, export, distribution, or marketing of medical or pharmaceutical products.' The Guardian reported that in an interview with La Nación, the owner of HLB Pharma, Ariel García Furfaro, denied that the deaths could be directly attributed to his product, said his company pulled it from the market itself, and claimed that if the ampoules were contaminated, someone had 'planted' the contaminant. The patients had been hospitalised for unrelated conditions and were given the drug for pain relief or anaesthetic, before becoming infected with the multidrug-resistant bacteria. No charges have yet been filed, but the court has named 24 people involved in the manufacture and sale of the opioid as suspects. They have been banned from leaving the country and had their assets frozen, The Guardian report said.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
Can a rotten egg cause a Liver Abscess? Find out here
A liver abscess is a localised collection of pus in the liver, often caused by infection. It can develop following injury to the liver or due to infections spreading through the bloodstream, particularly via the portal vein. The most common types are pyogenic (bacterial) and amoebic (parasitic) liver abscesses. Less commonly, fungi or parasites like Echinococcus cause liver cysts that may mimic relatively rare, liver abscesses can be life-threatening if untreated, with significant mortality risk. Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to improve AND RISK FACTORSPyogenic liver abscesses arise from bacterial infections such as E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus, and sources include biliary tract diseases (stones, strictures), cholangitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, or liver abscess is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which initially infects the intestines and later spreads to the hydatid cysts caused by Echinococcus granulosus (a tapeworm) lead to liver factors include diabetes, male sex, age 40-60, immunocompromised status, and existing liver or biliary AND SYMPTOMSHigh fever with chills (90% of cases)Right upper abdominal pain or tenderness (50-75%)Shortness of breath or cough (due to diaphragm irritation)Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetiteJaundice in some patientsWeight loss and fatigueRarely, Klebsiella infections cause septic emboli affecting eyes or brainDIAGNOSTIC APPROACHBlood tests: Elevated white blood cells, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, and blood cultures to detect Ultrasound is the first step, showing cystic lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT scan offers more detailed For amoebic abscess, antibody testing for Entamoeba histolytica. For hydatid cyst, ELISA for Guided needle aspiration provides pus for culture and organism identification, critical for targeted Percutaneous catheter drainage under ultrasound or CT guidance is preferred for abscesses larger than 5 cm. Smaller abscesses may be treated with needle aspiration Broad-spectrum antibiotics combined with metronidazole for amoebic infection. Treatment ranges from 2 to 6 weeks depending on Reserved for ruptured abscesses, thick-walled or multiple abscesses, or cases refractory to percutaneous therapy: Albendazole for hydatid cysts, with surgery or drainage in complicated STUDY: ANIL DHAWAN'S JOURNEY WITH LIVER ABSCESSAnil Dhawan, a 51-year-old man, experienced high fever and severe shortness of breath, struggling even to get fresh air. Concerned about his worsening condition, he rushed to BLK Kapur Hospital, Rajendra Place. Blood tests revealed a high Total Leukocyte Count (TLC), signalling infection. A CT scan followed by urgent ultrasound detected multiple large abscesses in his liver. The doctor urgently recommended drainage to prevent the abscesses from spreading further. Anil underwent percutaneous drainage with 3 to 4 catheters inserted to slowly evacuate the pus. After 15 days of hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment, Anil recovered well and was discharged. Anil's experience highlights the importance of early recognition, diagnostic imaging, and timely intervention to manage liver abscess ROLE OF THE REGISTERED HEALTH INFORMATION ADMINISTRATOR (RHIA)advertisementManaging liver abscess cases requires coordinated care among multiple healthcare professionals — physicians, radiologists, infectious disease specialists, surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. The RHIA plays a critical role in:Maintaining accurate, detailed patient records for diagnostics, treatments, and proper coding and documentation for liver abscess cases to support clinical decisions and communication between teams to improve care coordination and patient in data collection for clinical audits and quality improvement related to liver abscess RHIA supports the healthcare team by ensuring information accuracy and availability, which is vital for timely and effective liver abscess AND PRECAUTIONSPractice good hygiene and clean, safe water to avoid parasitic treat abdominal infections and biliary chronic illnesses such as contact with animal feces or saliva to prevent hydatid early medical attention if fever or abdominal pain COMPLICATIONSAbscess rupture leading to peritonitis or septic shockSpread of infection causing septic emboli in lungs, brain, or especially in biliary tract pain or intermittent fever if abscess is walled complications such as liver or kidney failure, thrombosis, or secondary — LIVER ABSCESSQ: What causes a liver abscess?A: Bacterial infections (pyogenic) and parasitic infections like Entamoeba histolytica are the primary causes. Risk factors include biliary disease, diabetes, and immunocompromised status.Q: What are the symptoms?A: High fever, chills, right upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes jaundice and shortness of breath.Q: How is it diagnosed?A: Blood tests, ultrasound, CT scans, serology, and needle aspiration of abscess fluid.Q: How is it treated?A: Drainage of abscess plus targeted antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs.Q: Can it be prevented?A: Yes, with good hygiene, safe drinking water, and prompt treatment of abscesses are dangerous infections inside the liver that cause fever, pain, and breathing difficulty. Early diagnosis with ultrasound and CT scan, combined with drainage and antibiotics, leads to recovery.- Ends advertisement
