Clinical Notes: Fungus Found in Steroids

Fungus, Bacteria Found in Compounded Steroids

Unopened vials of supposedly sterile methylprednisolone acetate, prepared by a Tennessee compounding pharmacy at the center of a federal investigation, contained both fungi and bacteria, the FDA said Friday.

FDA scientists cultured fungal and bacterial microbes from two vials of the injectable steroid from Main Street Family Pharmacy in Newbern, Tenn., each from different lots. The agency said its staff was working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify the specific species.