Questions Surround Guillen's Illness

Dr. Charles Nolan, director of TB control for Public Health/Seattle and King County, said it is "extraordinary" that Seattle Mariners shortstop Carlos Guillen developed such a severe case of pulmonary tuberculosis before it was diagnosed last Friday. Some Seattle physicians have said Guillen's symptoms should have prompted the team's medical staff to consider TB much earlier.

Guillen has been quarantined in Northwest Hospital since Saturday and is receiving antibiotics. On Tuesday, doctors operated to place a small artificial clot in one of his lungs to stop minor bleeding caused by his persistent cough. Team physician Dr. Mitch Storey said Guillen had requested that details of his condition be withheld. Storey said Guillen will miss the first round of the American League division series next week. But because teams are allowed to change rosters after each round of playoffs, Guillen could be added later.

Guillen's teammates and the Mariners' staff will be tested for TB today. Because it can take weeks after exposure to produce a positive skin reaction, those potentially exposed will be monitored for symptoms and likely tested again. A negative skin test, such as that done on Guillen in spring training, does not rule out disease because the test has a relatively high rate of false negatives.

Yet questions remain regarding how Guillen's illness escaped detection. Teammates said he had been ill and had suffered nosebleeds, but he had not complained to Manager Lou Piniella or to coaches. Pitcher Jose Paniagua said Guillen had been sick for three months and had said he suspected the blood he was losing was from his lungs, not his nose. General Manager Pat Gillick said Guillen was sent to an ear, nose and throat doctor in response to the nosebleeds, which were thought to be the result of an on-field collision with another player.

Seattle and King County record about 125 active cases of TB each year, mostly in people who have immigrated from other parts of the world. It's possible Guillen could have been infected in Venezuela, where he grew up and lives in the off-season.

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