Federal investigators trying to identify the source of mold that killed three UPMC patients and infected another in early September have produced no leads, according to a statement from the CDC.
The four organ transplant patients suffered from mucormycosis, a rare infection caused by environmental molds. The CDC was asked to investigate the source of the mold in September and concluded its investigation Oct. 7. No additional infections have occurred, and the CDC was not able to pinpoint a single source for the spate of infections.
Three of the four patients spent a significant amount of hospitalization time in the same ICU room, which was specially designed to draw in air from outside. Investigators suspected that mold spores from the surrounding environment could have made their way into the ICU through this room, but while the investigation turned up some environmental molds, none were linked to mucormycosis.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health will continue to monitor the hospital for further mold infections, and UPMC has responded that it has either completed implementing or will soon be done implementing the CDC's recommendations to prevent further infections.
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