B. Cepacia® Lawsuit | Infection Outbreak Lawyer, Attorney

Outbreaks of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria B. cepacia have been linked to antiseptic wipes, liquid stool softener, and many other medicines and medical devices.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting B. Cepacia induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been infected, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

B. Cepacia Infection Outbreaks & Recalls

Ultrasound Gel Recalled After 15 Infections Reported

In August 2021, Eco-Med Pharmaceuticals recalled a variety of ultrasound gel products after 15 people developed B. cepacia infections, including bloodstream infections. Eco-Med also identified more infections that could be related to the outbreak. The recall involves Eco-Gel 200 and MediChoice Ultrasound Gel by Owens and Minor and Mac Medical Supply.

Scent Theory Hand Soap Recalled for B. Cepacia

In February 2021, over 636,000 bottles of Scent Theory Hand Soap were recalled from Walmart and other stores due to a risk of B. cepacia infections. The recalled products include certain lots of Scent Theory® Lemon Citrus, Vanilla Coconut, Eucalyptus Mint, and Fresh Lavender Foaming Hand Soaps.

MPM Medical Recalls Regenecare HA for B. Cepacia Risk

In December 2020, MPM Medical of Texas recalled Regenecare HA Topical Anesthetic Hydrogel (Lot #41262) after 2 customers reported visible contamination in the product, and it was found to contain the bacteria Burkholderia cepecia. No adverse events were reported, but use of this product could result in skin infections or life-threatening injuries.

GUM Paroex Oral Rinse Recalled for Bacteria Contamination

In October 2020, Sunstar Americas Inc. recalled GUM® Paroex® Oral Rinse because it may be contaminated with Burkholderia lata, a bacteria that can cause severe infections, pneumonia, and bacteremia. GUM Paroex is a prescription oral rinse, only available through dentists and healthcare professionals for the treatment of gingivitis.

Mavidon Recalls All Products After Baby Infected With B. Cepacia

In December 2019, Mavidon issued a global recall for all of its products after a baby was infected with B. cepacia. The recall involves Lemon Prep, Pedia Prep, Wave Prep, Cardio Prep Single use cups, Collodions, Collodion Remover, Medical Adhesive Remover, Acetone, and more. The FDA reported that samples of 114-gm tubes of Lemon Prep were positive for B. cepacia.

La Bella Styling Gel Recalled for B. Cepacia Infection Risk

May 2019 — Over 9,500 containers of 22-oz La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel were recalled after 4 lots tested positive for B. cepacia and similar strains of bacteria.

The recalled products were manufactured by Kapra Cosmetics Inc. and distributed to stores nationwide since March 5, 2019. The recalled Lot Numbers include 19057B, 19072C, 19072E, 19072G.

La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel was sold nationwide at stores such as Target, Kroger (Food 4 Less and Ralphs), Stater Bros, HEB, Cardinal Health, Certco, Cashco Distributors, Bashas, All Essentials, Yosemite Wholesale – Merced, Supervalu, AJ Express and Latin American Distributors, Inc.

B. Cepacia Outbreak Linked to Medline Remedy Essentials No-Rinse Cleansing Foam

May 2018 — The FDA is warning that Medline Remedy Essentials No-Rinse Cleansing Foam may be contaminated with several types of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria (B. cepacia). As of May 21, there were 15 confirmed cases of B. cepacia infections associated with No-Rinse Cleansing Foam in three states: California (7), Pennsylvania (7), and New Jersey (1). All of the patients got the infections while they were already hospitalized for other reasons and treated with No-Rinse Cleansing Foam because they were unable to shower or bathe themselves. Multiple samples of No-Rinse Cleansing Foam have tested positive for B. cepacia contamination.

Doctor Manzanilla Cough & Allergy Medication Recall

September 2017 — Mid Valley Pharmaceuticals has recalled Doctor Manzanilla Cough & Cold medicine and Allergy & Decongestant cough syrup due to a risk of infections with B. cepacia. Click here to read more.

Ninjacof Cold Medicine Recall

August 2017 — Centurion Labs recalled 2 lots of Ninjacof and Ninjacof-A Cold Medicine after being notified by the FDA that it was made in a facility that is contaminated with B. cepacia. No infections were reported. Click here to read more.

Diocto Liquid Recalled Again for B. Cepacia

August 2017 — Rugby Laboratories has issued yet another recall for Diocto Liquid Stool Softener and Diocto Syrup after more bacterial infections with B. cepacia were reported. According to the FDA warning:

“If a product contains B. cepacia, its use could result in infections in patients with compromised immune systems and in patients with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis.”

Diocto Liquid Stool Softener Recall

August 2016 — Health officials are warning hospitals and patients not to use any brand of liquid docusate sodium laxatives after an outbreak of B. cepacia. Diocto Liquid Stool Softener was recalled after it was linked to an outbreak of B. cepacia that infected at least 60 people in eight states. The product was sold under the Rugby® brand-name by PharmaTech, LLC in 1-pint (437 mL) bottles.

Comfort Shield® Barrier Cream Cloth Recall

Sage Products issued a massive recall for wipes that might be contaminated with B. cepacia. The products are mostly wipes used on patients with incontinence, including Comfort Shield® Barrier Cream Cloths. The FDA issued the following Safety Warning:

“Topical administration of a product with B. cepacia may cause serious infections in patients whose bodies cannot fight disease or in hospitalized patients, as well as certain other patient groups. These infections could be life-threatening.”

What is B. Cepacia?

Burkholderia cepacia or “B. cepacia complex” is a group of bacteria that are commonly found in soil and water. Infections are more likely to become life-threatening for people with compromised immune systems, such as babies, elderly, pregnant women, cancer patients, but also in previously healthy individuals.

What is the problem?

Infections with B. cepacia resist most antibiotics and have a 42% mortality rate. Healthy adults are rarely infected. It typically infects hospitalized patients with weak immune systems, especially those on ventilators or other invasive medical devices.

How Does B. Cepacia Spread?

Person-to-person contact
Contaminated medicines or medical devices
Environmental exposure (soil, water, plants)
Breathing tubes
Dirty surfaces

Symptoms of B. Cepacia Infection

B. cepacia can infect the skin, soft-tissues, surgical wounds, genitourinary tract, lungs, and more. The symptoms depend on where the infection is located. In patients with cystic fibrosis, lung infections may cause:

Fever
Cough
Congestion
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

What is the Risk?

For patients with vulnerable immune systems, including cancer patients on chemotherapy and people with cystic fibrosis, a skin infection with B. cepacia is more likely to spread to the bloodstream and cause life-threatening sepsis (blood infection).

The symptoms of sepsis include:

Fever
Difficulty breathin
Low blood pressure
Fast heart rate
Mental confusion
Death

Do I have a B. Cepacia Lawsuit?

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B. Cepacia Lawsuit