Could Grant Wahl’s Death Been Avoided?

Fluroquinolone experts, advocates and the FQ patient community have been questioning whether the death from an aneurysm of prominent U.S. sports journalist Grant Wahl, 49, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar may have been caused by a fluoroquinolone.  The FDA cites aneurysms as one of many adverse events that may be caused by these antibiotics. His wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a specialist in infectious disease and global health, had immediately ordered an autopsy, which confirmed a “previously undiagnosed aneurysm.”

The well-known journalist was reporting on the world-watched soccer games when he developed a cold that became increasingly worse. He said he finally went to the facilities’ healthcare center, was diagnosed with “probable” bronchitis and given antibiotics. A few days later, he collapsed and died.

Was Wahl given a fluoroquinolone antibiotic?  Physicians frequently prescribe fluoroquinolone antibiotics for bronchitis. As most of us know, they should be given only after confirming that the patient has a bacterial infection and not a virus.  It seems unlikely that he was tested for bacteria first since results would have taken hours or days to come back. In Wahl’s own words:

“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you. What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy duty-cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still:  No bueno. “

Futbol with Grant Wahl,
December 5, 2022   

 Here’s what we know:

• Fluoroquinolones are frequently given off-label for disease and conditions that are not approved by the FDA such as viruses, for which they are not at all effective and may cause harm. Labels include these warnings.

• The FDA has issued a warning that fluoroquinolones may cause aneurysms.

• According to the American College of Chest Physicians, less than 10% of acute bronchitis cases are due to a bacterial infection and, consequently, should not be treated with an antibiotic.

• Wahl’s wife was shocked, she said, because Wahl was “a very, very healthy guy” who worked out with a trainer and used a rowing machine a few times a week. 

Healthy, fit, had “possible” bronchitis, not tested for bacterial infection, given powerful antibiotics anyway.

Could this unfortunate death have been caused by a medication? Could Dr. Gounder release the name of the antibiotic her husband received? That information would quash any speculation that a medication might have caused his untimely death.

If, indeed, Wahl was taking a fluoroquinolone prior to his death, an announcement could become an important teaching moment. Knowing that Wahl’s unlikely passing might have been due to a drug reaction would present an opportunity for his widow to create worldwide awareness about the risks of aneurysm associated with fluoroquinolones. Wahls death was broadly-covered by the media.

It would be a major gift to medicine in his memory.