Ivy Ridge Academy student treated for possible tuberculosis
by Chris Garifo, Times Staff Writer
First published: Tuesday, December 9, 2003
OGDENSBURG - A student at the Academy at Ivy Ridge is being treated for
possible tuberculosis contracted while at the school for troubled youths.
Celeste N. Marcus, 17, is! recuperating at her Cleveland, Ohio, home after
being released Sunday from the Cleveland Clinic, where she had been treated
since Nov. 30.
"She's staying home now, but we have a nurse coming to the house every day
to administer medication and see what her response is," said Didi C.
Sindelar-Wireman, the girl's mother.
State and St. Lawrence County health officials are aware of the girl's case
but said that it does not appear to be tuberculosis, an infectious disease
that attacks the respiratory system and is passed by coughing and sneezing.
Each year, 2 million people die of the disease worldwide.
"This girl was tested, and the initial came back positive for acid-fast
bacillus," said Patricia N. Ward, prevent supervisor for the county Health
Department. "Many things can cause that result, one of which is TB. Further
tests came back negative for TB. That is what was reported to us."
The state Department of Health als! o reported that tests of the girl were
negative for TB, said Joseph S. DiMura, a DOH public information officer.
"As reported to the DOH, tests conducted for flu and TB at the academy came
back negative," Mr. DiMura said. "We will continue to monitor the situation
closely."
Ms. Marcus collapsed Nov. 26, and was taken to Claxton-Hepburn Medical
Center. Her parents then had her transferred to the Cleveland Clinic, where
she was put under the care of Dr. Laura Danzinger.
"They're 95 percent sure it is TB," Mrs. Sindelar-Wireman said.
Ms. Marcus has been prescribed a treatment regimen that includes four
antibiotics that target TB, her mother said.
"A lot of her symptoms are showing it as TB and, rather than wait three or
four months, they're treating her for it now," Mrs. Sindelar-Wireman said.
"She had suspicious blood cultures," Mrs. Sindelar-Wireman said. "She was
spitting up blood."
The girl told her parents that at least eight to 10 other students at the
school had sy! mptoms similar to her's, including spitting up blood.
Ms. Marcus also told her parents that a fungus or mold could be seen growing
on the walls of the school infirmary where she originally was being treated
for what was assumed to be a sinus infection.
"We didn't realize how sick she was at the time," Mrs. Sindelar-Wireman
said. "We went to Ivy Ridge to inspect where she was going to recuperate.
They said they'd show us the boys' but not the girls'. We thought that was
strange."
School officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Though Mrs. Sindelar-Wireman said she was satisfied with the progress her
daughter was making within the academy's program, she doubted Ms. Marcus
would return to the school.
"She will have to be on antibiotic therapy for as much as six months," Mrs.
Sindelar-Wireman said. "She'll be almost 18 by then. We'll probably be
home-schooling her."