JERUSALEM - Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for more than seven months, suffered a further deterioration in his health Monday, according to the hospital where he is being treated.

A supporter of the Kadima party waves an Israeli flag in front of a poster of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the party's headquarters in Newe Ilan, some 9 miles west of Jerusalem, March 28, 2006. The condition of the comatose former Israeli Prime Minister deteriorated further on Monday, the hospital treating him said. [Reuters]

A new scan showed a deterioration in his brain function, his urine output has decreased significantly and a chest scan showed that he has a new infection in his lungs, according to Anat Dolev, spokeswoman for the Chaim Sheba Medical Center.

Dolev wouldn't say whether Sharon's life was in danger, but said doctors were treating him with broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids.

Sharon, 78, has been in a coma since suffering a massive stroke Jan. 4. He underwent several extensive brain surgeries to stop cerebral hemorrhaging, in addition to more minor procedures.

After spending months in the hospital where he was initially treated, Sharon was transferred to the long-term care facility at Sheba hospital in May.

Sharon was rushed into intensive care July 26 to undergo dialysis because his kidneys were failing. Hospital officials said they also noticed changes in his brain membrane.

He had a small stroke in December and was put on blood thinners before suffering the severe brain hemorrhage in January.

Sharon's stroke came after he saw through his contentious plan to withdraw Israel from the Gaza Strip after 38 years. Just two months before the stroke, Sharon shook up the Israeli political map by bolting his hard-line Likud Party to form the centrist Kadima faction.

After the stroke, Sharon's successor, Ehud Olmert, led Kadima to victory in a March 28 vote and became prime minister.