In a follow up to a product recall in mid-November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory after a fatal case of gastrointestinal (GI) mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a premature infant.
The infant received ABC Dophilus® Powder, a dietary supplement product containing viable microbial ingredients purchased from Solgar, Inc., Leonia, New Jersey. The product claimed to have “probiotic” properties and is marketed for infants and children.
Subsequent testing of the same lot of unopened Solgar ABC Dophilus® Powder revealed contamination with Rhizopus oryzae.
In October 2014, a hospital in Connecticut notified CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health of a fatal case of gastrointestinal mucormycosis in a preterm infant of 29 weeks’ gestation. The infant received lot 074 024 01R1 of ABC Dophilus® Powder for four days, beginning on day one of life.
Postmortem testing from the infant’s necrotic bowel showed angioinvasive fungal infection, consistent with mucormycosis. Additional testing confirmed the mold’s identity as Rhizopus oryzae.
Health officials report the hospital initiated an investigation into the infant’s death, including evaluation of the Solgar ABC Dophilus® Powder product. Local testing of unopened bottles of lot 074 024 01R1 Solgar ABC Dophilus® Powder revealed contamination with mold, confirmed to be Rhizopus oryzae at CDC.
Investigation into this fatal case of GI mucormycosis following ingestion of contaminated Solgar ABC Dophilus® Powder is ongoing. National case finding efforts are underway to identify additional cases of GI mucormycosis following ingestion of this contaminated dietary supplement.
