Meningitis: "Contaminants detected in unopened vials include the bacteria Bacillus, fungal species Aspergillus tubingensis and Asbergillus fumigates and two other fungi, Cladosporium and Penicillium"

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20121204/NEWS07/121204004/Meningitis-outbreak-More-contaminants-found-in-NECC-drugs

Meningitis outbreak: More contaminants found in NECC drugs

CDC warns of contamination in steroid medications, heart surgery drug

by

TOM WILEMON

THE TENNESSEAN

"Contaminants detected in unopened vials include the bacteria Bacillus, fungal species Aspergillus tubingensis and Asbergillus fumigates and two other fungi, Cladosporium and Penicillium. At this point, all cases of fungal meningitis have been traced to preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate distributed by the compounding pharmacy.

Bacillus species and Aspergillus fumigates are known to cause disease in humans. The CDC said that although it has received reports of illnesses in patients who took medications other than methylprednisolone acetate, including some who had evidence of meningeal inflammation, there had been no laboratory-confirmed infections.

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Several mysteries remain about the outbreak, including why fungal contaminants caused meningitis instead of bacterial contaminants and why no infections have been reported in some states, including California, that received methylprednisolone acetate. As of Monday, the outbreak had caused 541 illnesses nationwide, including 36 deaths. Tennessee's 13 deaths are the most of any state at this point, although Michigan has the most cases with 198 compared to 88 in Tennessee."