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New Death Occurs in Outbreak of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Linked to Eye Drops
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday that another person has died in an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant bacteria. This outbreak is linked to contaminated eye drops and has so far accounted for 81 cases across 18 states. In addition to the four deaths, there are reports of 14 people with vision loss and four people who have had their eyeballs surgically removed (enucleation) due to infection.
The Source of the Infection
The bacteria responsible for the outbreak is a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is dubbed VIM-GES-CRPA. The contaminated EZriCare artificial tears are the primary product responsible for the outbreak. Before the recall, the recalled eye drops were readily available across the country and sold on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and other retailers. Clinical samples collected show that the contamination happened at least between May 2022 and April 2023.
Updates About the Outbreak
The CDC updated the numbers of outbreak cases and reported there were 13 new cases since the last outbreak update in March. Six of these cases had samples collected prior to the recall and are now confirmed and added to the tally. Most cases either resided in long-term care facilities with known cases or continued using the recalled artificial tears.
Dangerous Public Threat
The outbreak strain of bacteria is concerning because it can spread quietly and share drug-resistance genes with other pathogens. Marissa Grossman, a CDC epidemic intelligence service officer, stated, “To date, extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas with genes that rapidly spread resistance, like VIM and GES, have been rare in this country. The widespread introduction of the outbreak strain threatens to undermine efforts to prevent these highly resistant organisms from becoming more common.”
Treatment Plans for the Pathogen
The strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is resistant to a wide variety of antibiotic drugs, including cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, aztreonam, carbapenems, ceftazidime-avibactam, and ceftolozane-tazobactam, fluoroquinolones, polymyxins, amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin. However, based on three isolates that underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the strain still appears susceptible to the drug cefiderocol. The CDC advises physicians to work with specialists to determine treatment plans for the extensively drug-resistant pathogen.
Phages as Treatment
Researchers at the University of California at San Diego’s Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) and the Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy have identified bacteriophage with activity against the outbreak strain. Phages are viruses that selectively infect and destroy bacteria. The therapy’s interest has increased as pathogenic bacteria have become more and more resistant to our largely stagnant collection of antibiotic drugs.
Lawsuits and Inspections
While doctors and researchers work on treating the tenacious infections, some patients have already filed lawsuits against EzriCare, Global Pharma, and retailers. The FDA posted an inspection report of Global Parma’s facility, finding a slew of manufacturing violations, slime on equipment, and a lack of measures to ensure sterility.
Conclusion
The outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria linked to contaminated eye drops and the resulting casualties is a concerning public health issue. As doctors and researchers strive to battle the tenacious infections, a legal battle is emerging. Meanwhile, it is essential to raise awareness of the issue and promote safe practices to avoid such outbreaks in the future.
The FAQ Section
What is the bacteria behind the outbreak?
The bacteria behind the outbreak is a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, dubbed VIM-GES-CRPA, that has become resistant to several antibiotic drugs. This strain has not been seen in the US before this outbreak.
What is the source of the infection?
The source of the infection is contaminated eye drops, with EzriCare artificial tears being the most common product used by people infected during the outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration reported a recall of these drops in February 2023 after the CDC released a health alert about 55 cases and the link to the eye drops.
What are some of the symptoms that an infected individual can display?
The symptoms of an infected individual include redness, swelling, blurred vision, irritation, and pain. These can often lead to vision loss and enucleation as a last resort measure to prevent the infection from spreading.
Are there any phages that can target the outbreak strain?
Yes, researchers at the University of California at San Diego’s Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) and the Yale Center for Phage Biology and Therapy have identified bacteriophage with activity against the outbreak strain.
Has anyone filed lawsuits related to the outbreak?
Yes, patients have already filed lawsuits against EzriCare, Global Pharma, and retailers. The FDA posted an inspection report of Global Parma’s facility, finding several manufacturing violations, slime on equipment, and a lack of measures to ensure sterility.
What is the best way to avoid such outbreaks in the future?
The best way to avoid such outbreaks in the future is to stay vigilant about the products being used and immediately identify any symptoms that may indicate a severe infection. Taking preventative measures like sterilizing equipment and being conscious about cleanliness and hygiene can also come a long way in preventing the spread of infections.
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