%0 Journal Article %D 2002 %T Update: allograft-associated bacterial infections--United States, 2002. %A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) %K Adolescent %K Adult %K Arthritis, Infectious / et [Etiology] %K Bacterial Infections / ep [Epidemiology] %K Cartilage / tr [Transplantation] %K Clostridium / ip [Isolation & Purification] %K Clostridium Infections / ep [Epidemiology] %K Clostridium Infections / et [Etiology] %K Humans %K IM %K Knee Joint / su [Surgery] %K Male %K Sterilization %K Surgical Wound Infection / ep [Epidemiology] %K Tissue Transplantation / ae [Adverse Effects] %K Transplants / mi [Microbiology] %K United States / ep [Epidemiology] %X Tissue allografts are commonly used in orthopedic surgical procedures; in 1999, approximately 650,000 musculoskeletal allografts were distributed by tissue processors (1). A rare complication of musculoskeletal allografts is bacterial infection (2,3). After the reported death of a recipient of an allograft contaminated with Clostridium spp. (an anaerobic spore and toxin-forming organism) (3), CDC investigated this case and solicited additional reports of allograft-associated infections; 26 cases have been identified. This report summarizes the investigation of these cases and describes additional steps given to a tissue processor to enhance tissue transplant safety. %C United States %V 51 %P 7 %8 42064 %G English %N 10 %M 11922189 %< Case Reports. Journal Article