6 things to know about physician who solved infection mystery

Ankit Bharat, MD, of Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, promised the sister of his patient who had died from a rare infection called sarcoidosis after lung transplant surgery that he would “get to the bottom” of it.

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Now, Dr. Bharat determined the possible cause which can likely save lives in the future.

Here are six things to know:

  • The infection caused an abnormal buildup of ammonia in the patient’s body.
  • Although rare, it is almost always fatal, according to Dr. Bharat.
  • This infection occurs in about 4 percent of all lung transplant recipients.
  • Dr. Bharat dedicated himself to research and found bacteria caused the condition, and he could treat it with antibiotics.
  • The findings were published in Science Translational Medicine.
  • Dr. Bharat says further studies need to be done but his discovery has saved other patients.

More on infection control & quality:
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Physician office injection leads to hep. C: 4 things to know
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