Contaminated Eye Drops: The Danger of Drug-Resistant Bacteria and How to Protect Yourself

2023-10-13 23:21:26

Some artificial tear products may contain a rare, drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, also known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has caused eye infections, blindness, and death in many states in the United States. .

For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked deaths and blindness to the contaminated eye drops imported from India. On March 21, 2023, a rare strain of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Pseudomonas aeruginosa broke out in multiple states in the United States.

This bacteria is associated with many types of infections, including eye infections. The CDC and FDA recommend that clinicians and patients stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears artificial tear products.

The strain in this outbreak, VIM-GES-CRPA, possesses two enzymes that are resistant to carbapenems: VIM, the Verona integron-mediated metallo-beta-lactamase, and GES, the Guyana ultrawidespread Spectrum-beta-lactamase, the first time this antibiotic-resistant bacterium has been discovered in the United States.

An inspection report released by the CDC showed that Global Pharma Healthcare, the manufacturer of EzriCare eye drops, did not take reasonable steps to prevent product contamination. At the time, the CDC recommended that health care workers follow infection control guidelines to prevent the spread of these bacteria in hospitals because these bacteria “have the potential to spread rapidly in hospitals and health care settings.”

Expert: The mortality rate is high, but there should be no human-to-human transmission

In this outbreak, 37 infections were linked to four hospitals or medical facilities. There were three deaths, one from a bloodstream infection. The CDC also reported that eight people lost their eyesight and four had their eyes removed.

Looking back at 2017, approximately 32,000 hospitalized patients in the United States were infected with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nearly 3,000 people died.

Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, said there is currently no concern regarding person-to-person spread outside of health care settings.

She told The Epoch Times, “At this point, it does seem like the eye drops were contaminated.” “The risk is incredible.”

But Dr. Nachman says you’re unlikely to infect others while sitting at the dinner table.

“For germs to infect you, they need a special way of entry,” she said, stressing that this rarely happens in everyday life. Because bacteria need suitable temperature and environment to survive.

“For them (Pseudomonas) to grow, they need an environment that supports their growth; that is, you have to be exposed to it,” she explains.

For example, she said, you may touch the table and then touch your eyes, but “is it possible to bring active bacteria on the table to your hands and eyes? It is possible. But there are too few bacteria on the table and it is generally not contagious. your eyes.”

symptoms of infection

Dr. Nachman said the symptoms of VIM-GES-CRPA infection are similar to severe environmental allergies, colds or other viral illnesses.

“You’ll feel uncomfortable, and your eyes will be sore, tender and watery,” she says, and you’ll want to pay attention to whether these symptoms are the same as those you typically experience from allergies or illness, or whether there are other symptoms.

“I would say if you have used eye drops and you have these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately to get checked out,” Dr. Nachman said.

4 Tips to Avoid Eye Drop Infections

Be careful to prevent bacterial infection when using eye drops.

Follow the instructions; if it says it expires at the end of the month, throw it away at the end of the month. Dr. Nachman said, “Because there may be various bacteria in the eye drops, not just Pseudomonas.” Therefore, “if the instructions for the eye drops indicate “use for one month and then discard,” then you must follow the instructions Do it. “

Dr. Nachman says to wash your hands before touching eye drop bottles to avoid contaminating them.

Please be aware of any product recalls and check your own medications. If you are using a recalled brand, contact your doctor to see if treatment is needed.

Dr. Nachman also recommends smelling the eye drops. “If it doesn’t smell right, it’s got bacteria. Don’t use it, just throw it away.”

Prevent the spread of Pseudomonas

Dr. Nachman stressed the importance of isolating infected people in hospitals because the bacteria not only infect the eyes but can also infect and harm other organs and tissues in the body.

“Is it going to be in the lungs, in the gastrointestinal tract, is it going to be expelled through body fluids?” Dr. Nachman said. “It’s going to be passed on to other people.”

She explained that a hospital environment is “very different” than a home environment, with the biggest difference being that there are other patients in the hospital, which increases the risk of transmission.

Also, if you are hospitalized, you will have more drug-resistant bacteria in your body.

Nachman recommends washing your hands frequently at home, but not locking yourself in your room. She pointed out that washing hands frequently and controlling the source of infection are the most important.

For the English report, please see the English version of The Epoch Times:An Eye Drop May Have Introduced Dangerous Bacteria to US, Expert Advises How to Prevent。

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Editor in charge: Li Fan

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