NEW YORK, May 29: Singer Robert Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan has been hospitalised with a potentially fatal heart infection that forced the cancellation of a European tour, his record label said on Wednesday.

Dylan, who turned 56 last Saturday, was admitted to a hospital this past weekend with severe chest pains, according to a statement from Columbia Records.

His condition has been diagnosed as histoplamosis, a potentially fatal infection which creates a swelling of the sack which surrounds the heart, according to the statement.

The statement did not specify where Dylan was hospitalised or his current condition. It did say he was undergoing treatment and will remain hospitalised in the care of his physicians until such time as they feel confident that his condition has improved.

Once released from the hospital, there will need to be a period of recuperation,'' the statement said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.