Rumours that Apple chief executive Steve Jobs received a liver transplant two months ago have been confirmed by the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Tennessee.

The hospital addressed speculation that Jobs had been given preferential treatment over other patients on the waiting list.

"He received a liver transplant because he was the patient with the highest Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of his blood type, and therefore the sickest patient on the waiting list at the time a donor organ became available, " said the hospital in a statement. "Mr Jobs is now recovering well and has an excellent prognosis."

Several reports claim that Jobs has already returned to work at Apple, although the company has not yet confirmed whether this is the case.

Jobs's health has been a subject of deep concern for Apple enthusiasts and shareholders. His gaunt appearance at last year's Worldwide Developers Conference led to a statement of reassurance from Apple in January that Jobs was not suffering from a resurgence of pancreatic cancer.

Jobs said at the time that he was suffering from a hormone imbalance, and would take a six-month leave of absence from the company.

Rumours that Jobs had undergone a liver transplant emerged earlier this week.