A Rare and Deadly Link: Rabies Spread Through a Kidney Transplant
A Unique and Tragic Case
A man in Michigan passed away due to rabies after receiving a kidney from a donor who had the virus. This event is extremely rare, with only three similar cases reported in the last 50 years.
The Donor's Story
The donor, a man from Idaho, was scratched by a skunk on his rural property. About five weeks later, he began experiencing symptoms:
- Difficulty walking
- Trouble swallowing
- Hallucinations
Two days after the onset of symptoms, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he did not survive.
The Recipient's Tragic Fate
The donor's left kidney was transplanted to a man in Michigan. Five weeks after the transplant, the recipient started showing signs of illness:
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Incontinence
A week later, he was hospitalized with:
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hydrophobia (fear of water), a classic sign of rabies
Sadly, he passed away after a week in the hospital.
The Danger of Rabies
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. It is typically spread through the bite of an infected animal. In this case, transmission occurred through an organ transplant, highlighting the critical need for rigorous testing of donated organs.
CDC's Warning
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this case to raise awareness about the risks of rabies and the importance of caution around wild animals. Even minor scratches can be dangerous.
A Preventable Tragedy
This case underscores the need for better infection testing in donated organs. The man in Michigan's death could have been prevented if the kidney had been tested for rabies.
