Aspergillus meningitis following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in Colombo, Sri Lanka

SummaryWe report six cases of Aspergillus meningitis after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section administered in June and July 2005. Three patients died before a fungal infection was confirmed at the first post-mortem examination in August. Thereafter anti-fungal therapy was successful in saving the lives of the other three patients. Some syringes and spinal needles supplied to the hospitals concerned were found to be contaminated with Aspergillus fumigatus. Investigators found that medical supply storage facilities were substandard following the influx of donations after the tsunami of December 2004.