New manuscript in JAMA: Robert Dickson and Debbie Dingell on preventing tuberculosis outbreaks
In the current issue of JAMA, Robert Dickson and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell have published a Viewpoint essay titled “Urgent Need for Regulatory Oversight of Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue–Based Products.”
The essay describes the case of Shandra Eisenga, who contracted tuberculosis from a contaminated bone graft and ultimately died from the infection and its consequences. Her case launched a CDC outbreak investigation, which identified additional patients infected via the same infected tissue donor. This was the second tuberculosis outbreak since 2021 due to TB-contaminated bone graft tissue.
Dr. Dickson and Rep. Dingell have been working together to resolve the regulatory gaps that have allowed these outbreaks to occur. Two items of legislation (one named after Shandra) have been introduced to Congress to prevent further outbreaks from occurring due to these poorly regulated products.
