Miss World finalist loses hands, feet

Brazilian model's limbs were amputated after severe urinary infection

Miss World finalist loses hands, feet

Brazilian model's limbs were amputated after severe urinary infection

unfortunate: Mariana Bridi da Costa's illness was first diagnosed with kidney stones

The model was diagnosed with the blue pus bacillus bacterial infection (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), which often leads to lethal outcomes.

The blood poisoning in her limbs triggered blood circulation disorder, and doctors eventually decided to amputate the woman's hands and feet.

But after that surgery she suffered an internal haemorrhage and had another emergency operation on Wednesday afternoon.

Kidney stones

Bridi's boyfriend Thiago Simoes said she had fallen ill on December 30, although she was mistakenly diagnosed with kidney stones.

The infection was spreading very quickly, and the woman had to return to hospital for further examination, which revealed her real condition.

Bridi's father, Agnaldo da Costa, said that it was the tragedy of her whole life.

Bridi won the national Miss World final twice and travelled to China last year to participate in Miss Bikini International.

The potentially fatal infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a commonly occurring bacterium that can cause diseases in both animals and humans.

It is found in both soil and water and in most man-made environments. The symptoms of such infection are generalised inflammation and production of pus. If such colonisations occur in critical body organs such as the lungs or the urinary tract and kidney, the results can be very damaging and potentially fatal.

Because it thrives on moist surfaces, it is also found on and in medical equipment and this can be the cause of cross infections in hospitals and clinics.

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