Local clinic reports state’s first suspected case of fungal meningitis tied to tainted steroid

South Carolina’s first suspected case of fungal meningitis tied to a tainted steroid was reported Wednesday night by Intervene MD of North Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

The patient received a spinal injection of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate made at New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass.

The individual has probable but not confirmed fungal meningitis, Intervene MD said. Fungal meningitis is not contagious.

The patient has been hospitalized, and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control notified.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Intervene MD as the only facility in the state to receive from NECC some of the suspect batch of 17,600 doses of the steroid distributed nationally.

Intervene MD has contacted 257 patients who received a spinal injection of the steroid and 78 people who received it in a joint injection.

“While we cannot reveal any personally identifying health information regarding this patient, the individual is under the supervision of medical specialists who are providing and managing care,” Intervene MD said. “We are in ongoing communication with officials at DHEC and assisting them in every way with regard to the care of this individual.”

Read more later at postandcourier.com and in tomorrow’s newspaper.