Microbial contamination and growth in total parenteral nutrition solutions

TPN bags (196) and giving sets were subjected to microbiological examination following administration within a busy nutrition ward. Of these, five (2.6%) were found to be contaminated with coagulase-negative Gram-positive cocci. In all but one instance the contamination was restricted to the terminal ends of the giving sets rather than to the nutrition bag itself. Isolation of micro-organisms from the ward environment suggested that the contamination had arisen extrinsically during the setting up of the infusions. Isolates from the contaminated products, together with type species of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, were examined with respect to their growth requirements and used to challenge four TPN formulations. Growth and survival of the organisms was monitored for up to 21 days. In all instances significant numbers of organisms were recovered after 72 h. Significant growth of the Staphylococcal isolate and C. albicans occurred over the initial 48-72 h incubation, this appeared to be greater in extent for the lipid-containing formulations. The temperature of storage of the formulation was the major determining factor for microbial growth and survival. No survivors were recovered, however, from any formulation after 21 days.