Family to sue over virus death
The family of a Wigan woman killed by a viral infection after treatment for eczema is taking legal action against Wigan's Hospital Trust.
Silvi Ward, 32 of Chapel Street, Orrell, died from multiple organ failure after being prescribed azathioprine and systemic steroids to cure the skin complaint.
Her family believe a test for the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (tpmt), which is carried out in many hospitals, should have been given to Mrs Ward before she was prescribed azathioprine.
They are now taking legal action against Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust.
According to the British Association of Dermatologists, patients should be given the test before being prescribed azathioprine.
Dr Elizabeth Stewart of the Dermatology Department at Leigh Infirmary told and inquest into Mrs Ward's death at Bolton Coroner's Court it is now practice to ask for the tpmt when prescribing the drug.
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Mrs Ward moved to Wigan from Indonesia in 2002 and married her husband Andrew Ward a year later.
She suffered from skin irritations since childhood but sought treatment after moving to Britain.
After a number of treatments failed to cure her eczema she was prescribed azathioprine in February 2009 however she stopped taking the drug in March 2009 when blood tests revealed her white blood cell levels had fallen.
Her hair had also begun to fall out.
On April 9 Mrs Ward was admitted to Wigan Infirmary with chest pains but allowed to return home after tests.
The next day she was taken back to hospital with severe chest pains a sore throat.
While in hospital she developed a rash across her body and began bleeding in her mouth, Mrs Ward's condition then deteriorated rapidly.
She was taken to Intensive Care, where she died on April 14.
Consultant Pathologist James Harrison, who conducted a post mortem, said Mrs Ward had developed bone marrow depression which had caused the intensive rash and internal haemorrhage.
Mr Harrison said the cause of death was multiple organ failure caused by a viral infection from Immunosuppression after using azathioprine and steroids.
Deputy Coroner, Alan Walsh said: "It was unimaginable to die in these circumstances".
He recorded a narrative verdict stating that Mrs Ward had died recognised complications of azathioprine and systemic steroid therapy.
Following the inquest Mrs Ward's husband Andrew said:
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Thursday 02 September 2010
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