Hong Kong authorities said Friday that an investigation into a fatal outbreak of a fungal infection among hospital patients had found that a drug used to treat them had been contaminated.
The Department of Health said that four batches of the drug Allopurinol, used to treat patients suffering from gout or undergoing chemotherapy, had been found to be contaminated with a fungus called Rhizopus microsporus.
About Gout
High levels of uric acid in blood and recurring attacks of joint inflammation are the main symptoms of gout. Lifestyle changes like weight loss, increasing fluid intake and dietary changes can help.
High levels of uric acid in blood and recurring attacks of joint inflammation are the main symptoms of gout. Lifestyle changes like weight loss, increasing fluid intake and dietary changes can help.
It was not immediately clear if the contamination was responsible for the six-year-old's death, with the statement saying only that the patients who had contracted the fungal infection had also been treated with the tainted drug.
The manufacturer had been ordered to stop production immediately and samples had been taken for further tests, the department said in its statement.
Reports Characterize Fungal Eye Infections Among Soft Contact Lens Wearers
Fusarium, the fungus implicated in recent eye infections among soft contact lens wearers, is associated with an increasing number of cases of keratitis (corneal swelling and inflammation)
Fusarium, the fungus implicated in recent eye infections among soft contact lens wearers, is associated with an increasing number of cases of keratitis (corneal swelling and inflammation)
Source-AFP
SRM
Meningitis C Vaccines Recalled In Britain Over Contamination Fears
Pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Wednesday it was recalling two batches of a meningitis C vaccine distributed in Britain over contamination fears, but regulators stressed the health
Pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Wednesday it was recalling two batches of a meningitis C vaccine distributed in Britain over contamination fears, but regulators stressed the health
Poor Hospital Hygiene the Reason Behind Patient Deaths in Britain
At least 90 patients died from an infectious superbug in three neighbouring hospitals in southern Britain in two years due to lack of basic hygiene, according to an official report published Thursday.
At least 90 patients died from an infectious superbug in three neighbouring hospitals in southern Britain in two years due to lack of basic hygiene, according to an official report published Thursday.
