HONG KONG - A 46-year-old woman suffering septic shock after the blood transfusion treatment at a Hong Kong beauty center died this morning, the city's government said on Wednesday.

The victim received the "DC-CIK" treatment at a beauty center called DR last Wednesday, and suffered fever and diarrhea hours after the therapy. She was sent to hospital last Thursday, and was diagnosed with septic shock. Her blood samples had grown the bacterium Mycobacterium abscessus, the city's health authorities said on Sunday.

Four women, including the dead, fell ill after taking the treatment, with the other three still remaining in hospital. A 60- year-old is in critical condition, a 56-year-old is in serious condition, and a 59-year-old is stable, according to the health department.

The "DC-CIK" therapy involves concentration and processing of blood taken from a person, and infusion of the mixture back into the patient.

Altogether 44 people have received the treatment at the DR beauty center, the health department said last Friday. The department and the police are still investigating the case.