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UPMC: Fungal Infections In Patients Who Died May Be Related To Mold

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The mold concerns that shut down UPMC Presbyterian Hospital's cardiothoracic intensive care unit earlier this week may be related to fungal infections two transplant patients had before they died.

In a statement, UPMC Chief Quality Officer Tami Minnier says: "A careful and methodical review of our records and analysis of the fungus show that two previous transplant patients who stayed in the same room on that unit had fungal infections that may have been related to this mold."

Both of those patients later passed away.

Officials say the first case was in October of 2014 and the second case was in June of this year.

Minnier goes on to say in the statement: "Although the role that the mold may have played in their deaths cannot be definitively determined, we have notified their families of the suspected link to the mold in our CTICU."

UPMC says concerns about the mold were first raised on Sept. 3. One of the doctors found mold, a fungal infection, in the wound of a transplant patient.

According to UPMC officials, the mold was found inside of a wall in one of the rooms. According to officials, it's the same room "where all three affected patients were cared for."

Eighteen patients had to be moved to other parts of the hospital when the ICU was shut down.

UPMC's statement goes on to say:

"These infections are caused by common fungi that can be found on plants. It can cause vegetables and fruits, such as strawberries, to go bad. Most people have no reaction at all when exposed to molds. Only individuals who are severely immunosuppressed face a serious risk. This small group includes those whose immune systems cannot fight infection due to certain conditions, such as immunosuppression after a transplant or from certain drugs, such as some used to treat cancer."

To read UPMC's full statement, click here.

No reopening date for the intensive care unit has been determined.

Stay with KDKA for Paul Martino's full reports at 5 p.m. & 6 p.m. on this developing story.

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