A 14-year-old pianist had his hands and feet amputated after a flu-like illness triggered a deadly immune reaction. A resident of Tennessee, in the United States, Mathias Uribe had symptoms of a common cold in mid-June, but within a few weeks he had to be rushed to the emergency room.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with toxic shock syndrome, which occurs when infections release toxins into the bloodstream. When the teenager’s lungs began to fail, he was placed on a life support machine, but his body had difficulty pumping blood properly.
This caused the skin on his extremities to rot and become gangrenous. Doctors then had to amputate all four limbs. To the local press, Mathias’ mother, Catalina Uribe, said that it is “very difficult” to see videos of her son running and playing the piano, although she also feels gratitude for his life.
Katie Boyle, a pediatrician who leads Mathias’ care team, said the case was “extremely rare.” She said that sometimes when there is a flu, it is possible for a bacterial infection to occur. Still, she pointed out, “most kids don’t get as sick.” He suffered from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
What causes?
The disease is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, which is commonly found in the throat and skin, and is usually benign. However, when someone’s immune system is already weakened by an infection, they may be more vulnerable to relatively harmless bacteria.
On June 30, Mathias suffered a cardiac arrest. He was transported by helicopter to a hospital that had a life support machine. After 20 days of intensive treatment, doctors informed him that his hands and feet needed to be amputated, as his limbs did not receive enough blood flow during this period.
When this occurs, tissue rot and infection may occur. If the damage is severe, as was the case with the teenager, amputation is necessary. Additionally, when someone has sepsis, the inflammation causes the blood to clot and become thick, making it difficult for it to circulate throughout the body. As nutrients cannot reach the tissues, they begin to die.
This dead tissue must be removed as it can cause the infection to spread. If the gangrenous area is small enough, the surgeon may be able to remove only what is necessary to stop the spread. On July 21, however, Mathias’ medical team amputated his left leg just below the knee. Four days later it was the right leg. Already on August 1, his hands were removed.
‘Silent assassin’
Sepsis is a medical emergency that experts call the “silent killer.” It is caused by the body’s extreme reaction to an infection, and occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight an infection cause inflammation throughout the body. This causes a chain reaction, leading to organ failure.
Mathias has had more than a dozen surgeries, but he still has a few more to go. He must remain in the hospital for an indefinite period. Now, his family raises money to cover medical expenses and the cost of prosthetics. They hope that, over time, the young man will be able to play the piano and play sports again.
— ‘Your life will be incredible’ — said the mother, referring to a conversation she had with her son. “You go wherever you want. You have no limits because you are here. Mathias, you are here’.
