NC teenager hospitalized with rare infection

Thursday, June 25, 2009 4:34 PM |

Printer friendly version |

E-mail to a friend |

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A 14-year-old North Carolina boy is hospitalized with a rare infection that cost him part of his nose and five teeth after swimming in a local lake.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that doctors at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill are treating Matthew McKinney for an infection caused by a bacteria called Chromobacterium violaceum, which was found in Hope Mills Lake.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fewer than 150 cases have been reported worldwide since 1927.

Brian McKinney said his son is in serious condition but that antibiotics are beginning to clear the infection from the teen's blood.

Doctors had to remove the left side of Matthew's nose and palate, and his father said he lost five teeth. Brian McKinney said doctors won't consider reconstructive surgery until the infection is gone.

If you would like to subscribe to the Salisbury Post, click here.

Comments

Notice about comments:

Salisburypost.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Salisburypost.com cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Salisburypost.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Full terms and conditions can be read here

Salisbury Post is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user-to-user connections, follow friend's recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality, and more.