Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Mandela Remains in Hospital
South Africans are being told to pray for former President Nelson Mandela, who remained hospitalized Monday to treat a recurring lung infection.
“His condition is unchanged,” according to a statement released Monday by the current president’s office, ” the Wall Street Journal reported. “President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time.”
Madiba is the clan name by which many South Africans refer to the anti-apartheid hero.
Mandela was taken to hospital early Saturday after doctors treating him for a lung infection at his home determined that there had been a significant decline in his condition, WSJ reported.
This is the fourth hospitalization in the past six months for Mandela, who will turn 95 next month. That includes a three-week stay in December to treat a lung infection and to remove gallstones and another stay that ended in early April, in which Mandela was treated for a lung infection.
—–
Fungus, Bacteria Found in Drugs From Tennessee Pharmacy: FDA
Fungus and bacteria have been found in drug vials from a Tennessee specialty pharmacy that recalled all of its injectable medicines last month, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The growths were detected in two unopened vials of a steroid injection distributed by the Main Street Family Pharmacy of Newbern. The FDA said it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify the exact species of fungus and bacteria, the Associated Press reported.
An investigation was launched last month after seven patients in North Carolina and Illinois said they developed skin abscesses after being injected with the steroid methylprednisolone acetate, which is used to treat joint pain, inflammation and respiratory problems.
This is the same steroid linked to a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak that began last year and has caused 58 deaths and sickened more than 740 other people, the AP reported. The FDA said it does not know of cases of meningitis associated with products from Main Street Family Pharmacy.