Abstract

STERILITY OF BEVACIZUMAB INJECTION VIALS ON MULTIPLE DOSAGE USE FOR INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS

Dr. Abdul Rahaman Khan D. H. and Dr. Sripathi Kamath*

Abstract

Objective: To study the sterility of injection Bevacizumab (Avastin) vials used for multiple dosage in consecutive cases and to report incidence of post injection endophthalmitis Methods: this is a prospective study of over a period of 20 months involving 107 patients and 20 vials of Bevacizumab injection conducted at one institute. Patients were selected for injection based on indications and 0.05ml/1.25mg of injection was given intravitreally in operation room under sterile precautions. Each vial was used for a maximum of 8 consecutive aspirations. At the end of 1 month the vials with remaining sample were sent to microbiology laboratory. The swab sample were collected from the inner surface of plastic cover cap, outer surface of rubber cork and the remaining injection sample were cultured for bacterial and fungal growth. Results: A total of 20 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection vials were used over 107 patients over a period of 20 months. No cases of post injection endophthalimtis were reported and all the 20 vials sent for bacterial and fungal culture were reported negative. Conclusion: use of single vial for multiple dosages is a common practice. In our study we observed that with proper storage and usage techniques Bevacizumab vial can be used for multiple dosages without increase in incidence of endophthalmitis.

Keywords: Bevacizumab, Avastin, intravitreal, endophthalmitis.