Coroner to probe 'poisoned' transplant organ deaths

[Wattle]

Coroner to probe 'poisoned' transplant organ deaths

By Suellen Hinde
February 04, 2007 12:00am
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun



THREE Victorians have died mysteriously after receiving transplant organs from a single donor.

Victoria's coroner has launched an investigation into the deaths at two of Melbourne's major transplant hospitals.

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Australia, two transplant recipients passed away after receiving a kidney and a third died after being given a liver.

One of the victims, Lina Sirianni, 63, a wife, mother of two and grandmother, died after a kidney transplant in the Austin Hospital last month.

Mrs Sirianni's family claim they were told the organ was "poisoned".

They are demanding answers over the cause of her death.

A spokesman for the coroner said: "The State Coroner's Office is investigating the possible causes and common links between these deaths."

THE family of a Melbourne woman who was one of three patients who died after receiving transplant organs from the same donor wants answers.

Lina Sirianni, 63, a mother of two and grandmother, died after a kidney transplant in the Austin Hospital last month.

Her son Sam Sirianni, 38, told yesterday of his family's heartbreak and anger. "We want answers," he said.

"Mum had been on the transplant waiting list for five years."

Mr Sirianni's comments come as the state coroner launched an investigation into the deaths at two of Melbourne's major transplant hospitals.

The case is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.

"My mother was on dialysis three times a week, but she was healthy and strong. When we had the call that they had a donor that matched, she wanted to go ahead. She wanted quality of life so she could travel overseas," Mr Sirianni said.

He said she seemed "OK"after the transplant, but within a week she had deteriorated rapidly.

"She was having trouble speaking and couldn't swallow and was having trouble with her co-ordination," he said. "She was in terrible pain.

"They said if her health didn't improve they would have to pull out the kidney. The next thing they are telling us there is not much they can do and we should pay our respects."

Two days after Mrs Sirianni died, the State Coroner's Office called to say they were investigating.

"They said that two other people had also died after getting organs from the same donor," Mr Sirianni said. "They wanted permission to do an autopsy."

Mr Sirianni said his family was keen to meet the families of the two other victims.

President of the International Transplant Society, Australian professor Dr Jeremy Chapman, said only a few cases of organ recipients dying from transmitted diseases had been reported worldwide.

One involved four recipients dying in Britain after being infected with rabies from one donor and cases of recipients dying from acquired HIV infection and from melanoma.

"It is a major issue in transplantation to minimise the risk of disease from a donor to a recipient," Prof Chapman said.

He said infections and cancers could be transmitted from donors to recipients. "That is why there is a rigorous screening process," he said.

Part of the screening includes testing for hepatitis and HIV.

"Unfortunately transplants are not a completely safe activity. For each person they have to weigh up the risks."

A spokesman for the Victorian Coroner's Court confirmed an individual died in December and organs were donated to three other patients, who subsequently died.

"The coroner's office is investigating the possible causes and common links between these deaths," he said.

"A major priority is respect for the family and loved ones who have been affected.

"The coroner's office is in close contact with those involved. Grief counselling and support have been offered to the families."

Austin Health spokesman John Heselev said the hospital was aware of the concerns raised by the Sirianni family.

"A thorough investigation is currently under way and the health service will report the findings to the family," he said.

"There has been no suggestion that any actions by Austin Health staff contributed to the deaths."

A spokesperson for LifeGift, the Victorian organ donation service, said that although the deaths were tragic, Australia had one of the highest overall success rates of transplantation in the world.

URL: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21168343-421,00.html?from=public_rss