The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the United States reported this week that the number of deaths associated with the use of eye drops contaminated with “widely drug-resistant” bacteria. Eight people were blinded and four others had their eyeballs surgically removed.
According to the statement, the patients were infected with the VIM-GES-CRPA strain of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosawhich had never been detected in the country before the current outbreak.
As of March 14, the CDC had identified 68 patients infected with the pathogen in 16 states.
“Patients reported more than ten brands of artificial tears, and some patients used multiple brands. EzriCare artificial tear, an over-the-counter preservative-free product packaged in multidose vials, was the most commonly reported brand,” says the health agency.
Laboratory tests on vials of various lots of EzriCare tested positive for the VIM-GES-CRPA strain.
“Testing of closed vials of EzriCare artificial tear is underway to help assess whether contamination may have occurred during manufacturing,” adds the note.
After the first reports, Global Pharma Healthcare started, in February, the voluntary recall of all batches of lubricating eye drops distributed by EzriCare and also by Delsam Pharma.
“The use of contaminated artificial tears can result in the risk of eye infections that can result in blindness”, warned the FDA (American health agency), while also recommending that those who have these products at home do not use them anymore.
In Brazil, the eye drops of these brands are not sold.
Seven bacteria and fungi that cause fatal diseases: