Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
09:30

Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

Published on: March 17, 2023

Particulate and microbial contamination in in-use admixed parenteral nutrition solutions

Shigeharu Oie1, Akira Kamiya

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Yamaguchi University Hospital, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube 755-8505, Japan.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|December 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Particulate contamination is a significant issue in parenteral nutrition solutions, with higher particle counts found in solutions mixed with more glass ampoules. Microbial contamination was not detected.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Clinical Pharmacy
  • Healthcare Quality

Background:

  • Parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions are critical for patients unable to receive nutrition orally.
  • Admixing multiple drugs into PN solutions can potentially introduce contaminants.
  • Assessing contamination in in-use PN solutions is vital for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the levels of particulate and microbial contamination in in-use parenteral nutrition solutions.
  • To identify potential sources or contributing factors to contamination in admixed PN solutions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 192 samples of in-use PN solutions from 10 hospitals.
  • Quantification of particulate contamination based on particle size (≥1.3, ≥5, ≥10, ≥50 micrometers).
  • Microbial testing for bacteria and fungi in residual solutions.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher particulate contamination (≥1.3 micrometers) was observed in PN solutions compared to controls.
  • Increased particulate load correlated with the number of glass ampoules used in admixing.
  • No bacterial or fungal contamination was detected in any of the tested samples.

Conclusions:

  • Particulate contamination is a prevalent issue in in-use admixed PN solutions.
  • The number of glass ampoules used in admixture is a significant factor contributing to particulate contamination.
  • Implementing measures to mitigate particulate contamination in PN solutions is essential.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae10:20

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Published on: July 10, 2015

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes03:53

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes

Published on: April 19, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration01:26

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.
Sources of Food Contamination01:29

Sources of Food Contamination

Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection01:30

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Key Techniques in Microbiology01:19

Key Techniques in Microbiology

Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...