Clinical Findings for Fungal Infections Caused by Methylprednisolone Injections

In late 2012, an outbreak of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated methylprednisolone was identified, with Exserohilum rostratum detected as the primary pathogen. This study reports the clinical characteristics of 328 patients with associated infections. Since September 18, 2012, state and local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration have been investigating the largest documented health care–associated outbreak in the United States. Fungal meningitis and other infections developed after patients received epidural, paraspinal, or joint injections with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate from a single compounding pharmacy. 1 – 3 The most commonly identified pathogen among patients was the mold Exserohilum rostratum, an extremely rare human pathogen. In the absence of known contamination, infectious complications of epidural or paraspinal injections occur infrequently (in