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FDA: Fungus In Tainted Steroids And Patients Match

A Food and Drug Administration agent stands at the doorway of New England Compounding Center in Framingham Tuesday as investigators work inside. (Bill Sikes/AP)
A Food and Drug Administration agent stands at the doorway of New England Compounding Center in Framingham Tuesday as investigators work inside. (Bill Sikes/AP)

Health officials have confirmed that a fungus behind a meningitis outbreak has also been found in unopened vials of steroid medication.

The Food and Drug Administration said the fungus was in one lot of vials made in August by the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass.

The specialty pharmacy has been at the center of a national investigation into more than 250 fungal meningitis cases, including at least 20 deaths.

Health officials said this week that 40 of 42 patients were infected with a fungus called Exserohilum rostratum.

This program aired on October 18, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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