Chennai, Oct 18: Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran, whose health condition remained 'serious' yesterday, had not shown any significant improvement in the past 24 hours and was now being given a new medicine to contain 'fungal infection', a bulletin from Apollo Hospitals said today.
"He is now on a new medication, 'Xigris', an activated protein 'C', on the advice of infectious disease specialists from Apollo and abroad, medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Radha Rajagopalan said in the bulletin this evening. "This medicine has to be given for four days. Presently, he has been on this new medication for 24 hours".
"Maran's general condition is stable and is being closely monitored in the intensive care unit. He continues to be on the support of ventilation and renal dialysis".


Prime Minister A B Vajpayee was in touch with the hospital and had been briefed on the condition of Maran, he said.
Maran was admitted to the hospital on September 23, following a complaint of high fever. He underwent a surgery two days later for replacement of 'infected' mitral valve. Subsequently, he developed 'fungal endocarditis', causing concern to the team of doctors attending on him.

Bureau Report