Stem cell shots tied to bacterial infections, CDC says
/ AP
Health officials on Thursday reported an outbreak of bacterial infections in people who got injections of stems cells derived from umbilical cord blood.
At least 12 patients in three states — Florida, Texas and Arizona — became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All 12 were hospitalized, three of them for a month or longer. None died.
Investigators don't think the contamination occurred at the clinics where the shots were given, because they found bacteria in unopened vials provided by the distributor, Yorba Linda, California-based Liveyon. Liveyon voluntarily recalled the stem cells in October.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning to Genetech Inc., the small San Diego company that processed the stem cells. The FDA said the company should not be marketing the stem cells without regulators' approval and has deviated from manufacturing requirements in ways that could have led to bacterial contamination.
Stem cells are very young cells than can develop into specialized cells, like blood cells, bone cells and brain cells. The cells are being studied as a potential way to treat many diseases and are currently approved for a handful of medical procedures. In recent years, hundreds of private clinics have opened promoting their use for diseases in which there is little evidence they are safe or effective.
Stem cells can be harvested from adults, but another source is umbilical cord blood, which can be collected at the time of birth, stored and later used as a treatment for the child or family members who develop conditions like blood or immune disorders. Officials say stems cells from cord blood also are being sold to doctors to treat patients for conditions like pain in their joints, shoulders or back.
Last year, the FDA announced plans to crack down in doctors and businesses promoting stem cell injections for diseases ranging from arthritis to Alzheimer's disease.
The CDC reported that stem cells from cord blood were the source of bacterial infections in seven in Texas, four in Florida and one in Arizona. The average age of the patients was 74.
Five different germs were seen in the patients, including one type of E. coli.
"These are not organisms you want in your bloodstream or joint space," said Dr. Kiran Perkins, the CDC medical officer leading the agency's investigation.
First published on December 21, 2018
© 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Shutdown deadline hours away – live updates
The midnight Friday deadline to avoid a shutdown is rapidly approaching, and a path to keep the government open is unclear
updated 1M ago 
Stem cell shots tied to bacterial infections
At least 12 patients in three states became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the CDC reports
updated 17M ago 
Trump now describes his border wall as "steel slats"
Trump's description of the characteristics of his border wall evolve
updated 31M ago 
The tax law is 1 year old — here are the winners and losers
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly a year ago — so has it lived up to its billing?
updated 30M ago 
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
updated 33M ago 
Shutdown deadline hours away – live updates
The midnight Friday deadline to avoid a shutdown is rapidly approaching, and a path to keep the government open is unclear
updated 1M ago
Trump now describes his border wall as "steel slats"
Trump's description of the characteristics of his border wall evolve
updated 31M ago
The tax law is 1 year old — here are the winners and losers
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly a year ago — so has it lived up to its billing?
updated 30M ago 
What Ruth Bader Ginsburg's lung surgery means
The Supreme Court Justice underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung
updated 46M ago 
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has cancerous growths removed from lung
A spokesperson for the Supreme Court said that there was no evidence of remaining disease
updated 46M ago 
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
updated 33M ago 
World powers vote in bid to bring peace to Yemen
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday to pass a resolution
2H ago 
Are the Taliban winning in Afghanistan?
Pentagon officials say they have been ordered to begin planning a troop drawdown in Afghanistan
4H ago 
London airport flights resume after temporary shutdown over drone
The shutdown came roughly 11 hours after flights had resumed Friday morning at Britain's second-busiest airport
3H ago 
Pope to sex abusers: "Hand yourself over… and prepare for divine justice"
"They shamelessly conceal a vicious wolf ready to devour innocent souls," Francis says
8H ago 
How to watch these favorite holiday movies
Here's how to watch Christmas specials on TV or your streaming device
updated 22M ago 
"Beverly Hills, 90210" making comeback with "untraditional reboot”
Some of the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" cast members are reportedly making a return to the show
1H ago 
Actress linked to "El Chapo" says Sean Penn betrayed her
Mexican authorities investigated del Castillo following the secret meeting she arranged with Sean Penn and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2015
3H ago 
Ariana Grande, Cardi B star in Christmas "Karaoke"
Michael Bublé kicked off the holiday mashup of Darlene Love's classic, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
6H ago 
Andy Cohen announces he is having a baby
In a room full of "Watch What Happens Live" audience members and "real housewives," Cohen thanked his surrogate, "who is carrying my future"
9H ago 
Welcome to winter solstice, the shortest day of 2018
The solstice gets an entire day of recognition, but it actually happens in an instant
7H ago 
In esports, players burn out young
"It's a whole other level of stress," one player told us. By their mid-20s, many have burned out
17H ago 
Experts: Don't send sensitive info on Facebook Messenger
"I would not trust Facebook with any of my information in a million years," one cybersecurity expert told CBS News
Dec 20 
Amazon sent 1,700 Alexa recordings to wrong customer
Man who reportedly never used the company's virtual assistant received 1,700 recordings it had made of a stranger
Dec 20 
Companies use VR to train employees for hostage situations, robberies
"VR takes your brain elsewhere…. It's basically like visualization on steroids"
Dec 20 
Stem cell shots tied to bacterial infections
At least 12 patients in three states became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the CDC reports
updated 17M ago
What Ruth Bader Ginsburg's lung surgery means
The Supreme Court Justice underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung
updated 46M ago 
FDA warns about teething jewelry after baby dies
The toddler was reportedly strangled by his amber teething necklace during a nap
2H ago 
Teen who sang during brain surgery recovering
Kira Iaconetti had to be awake and sing during the operation so her surgeon could pinpoint parts of her brain to protect so she could continue her singing career
6H ago 
Americans aren't getting taller, but are getting heavier
A new report highlights a growing trend in U.S. waistlines
22H ago 
The tax law is 1 year old — here are the winners and losers
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly a year ago — so has it lived up to its billing?
updated 30M ago 
Salvation Army's "Red Kettle" donations lag in digital age
Money raised in the iconic charity campaign is falling as foot traffic wanes at stores and people forgo cash
2H ago 
Ford recalls nearly 900,000 F-150 pickups after fires
Automaker says engine block heater cables need to be replaced in vehicles sold in U.S. and Canada
4H ago 
Juul workers get $2B bonus from tobacco giant investment
Electronic cigarette startup opts to rewards its 1,500 workers after Altria purchases a 35 percent stake
4H ago 
Cleaning toilets could leave these workers flush with cash
Origins of $109,000 stuffed down the commode at a Swiss bank remain mysterious, but employees can keep the money
5H ago
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
updated 33M ago 
Unsealed documents reveal new details about Mollie Tibbetts investigation
Four men were the subject of police interest at times during the five-week search for the Iowa student, the AP reports
Dec 20 
Deputy kills family, confesses over radio before turning gun on himself
The Florida school officer killed three relatives including his granddaughter, 6, before killing himself, sheriff says
Dec 19 
Redskins safety charged with assault for fight caught on video
Police say Montae Nicholson and his girlfriend were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical assault
Dec 19 
Senate passes bipartisan criminal justice bill
Senate voted Tuesday night to approve a sweeping criminal justice overhaul supported by President Trump
Dec 19
