Cases of Trichosporon asahii in Queen Elizabeth Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital made the following announcement today (October 25):

     Two patients (one male and one female, aged 80 and 49 respectively), staying in two different wards, were found to be infected with Trichosporon asahii in their blood tests taken on September 23 and October 17 this year. Antifungal therapy was prescribed immediately for the patients. These two patients remained in a mixed ward and a medical ward of the hospital for continuation of treatment of their underlying medical illness. One of them is in critical condition due to his own medical illness, and the other is in stable condition. The hospital has explained the details to the patients concerned and their relatives. The patients are under close surveillance.
  
     The hospital has informed the Hospital Authority Head Office and met with the experts of the Centre for Health Protection for investigating the relatedness and causes. The situation will be closely monitored.
  
     Trichosporon asahii is a fungus that can be commonly found in the environment. It also colonises the skin and gastrointestinal tract of humans. Trichosporon asahii may cause disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients.

Ends/Friday, October 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:35

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