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Screening for Microbial Contamination of Multi-dose Lignocaine Vials in a Dental Hospital: A Prospective Study
Swathi Manohar Renu1, Ashwin P Rao1, Dhanashree Biranthabail2
1Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Aim:
Multidose vials (MDVs) for local anesthetic injections are routinely used in dental practice. MDVs contain multiple doses of a parenteral drug intended for administration to the same or multiple patients. Potentially harmful microbes have been shown to be able to live and occasionally multiply in MDVs if not handled aseptically. The goal of this study thus was to evaluate the bacterial and fungal contamination (FC) of lignocaine MDVs after use in a dental hospital.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 27 MDVs of lignocaine free of any microbial contamination were distributed to different departments of the dental hospital and they were asked to use them on patients routinely. The samples were recollected from the departments either at the end of the 28th day or as and when the contents in the MDVs reached a predetermined level marked on the bottle during its usage, whichever was earlier. These leftover samples were subjected to a microbiological investigation by inoculation into thioglycolate broth and subsequent subculturing onto agar plates.
Results:
None of the inoculated broths showed turbidity. Subcultured agar plates, even on the 7th day of incubation, did not show any bacterial or fungal growth. The lignocaine MDVs tested after use were thus found to be sterile.
Conclusion:
There was no bacterial or FC detected in MDVs of lignocaine subjected to testing after use in the dental hospital.
Clinical Significance:
Multidose vials (MDVs) continue to be used in clinics for economic reasons. But the clinician opting for MDVs should be conscious of their potential for microbial contamination and should meticulously follow the protocol for their aseptic use.
How To Cite This Article:
Renu SM, Rao AP, Biranthabail D, et al. Screening for Microbial Contamination of Multi-dose Lignocaine Vials in a Dental Hospital: A Prospective Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(5):678-680.
Insights
Multidose vials (MDVs) of lignocaine used in dental procedures showed no bacterial or fungal contamination. This study confirms the sterility of MDVs when handled aseptically, ensuring patient safety in dental practice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dental Pharmacology
Background:
- Multidose vials (MDVs) are commonly used in dental practice for local anesthetic injections due to economic factors.
- Improper aseptic handling of MDVs can lead to microbial contamination, posing a risk to patient health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the bacterial and fungal contamination of lignocaine MDVs after routine use in a dental hospital setting.
- To assess the safety and sterility of lignocaine MDVs under clinical conditions.
Main Methods:
- 27 multidose vials of lignocaine were distributed for routine clinical use.
- Samples were collected after 28 days or when contents reached a predetermined level.
- Microbiological investigation involved inoculation into thioglycolate broth and subculturing onto agar plates.
Main Results:
- No turbidity was observed in any inoculated broths.
- No bacterial or fungal growth was detected on agar plates, even after 7 days of incubation.
- All tested lignocaine MDVs were found to be sterile post-use.
Conclusions:
- No bacterial or fungal contamination was detected in the multidose lignocaine vials tested after clinical use.
- The study indicates that lignocaine MDVs can remain sterile when appropriate aseptic techniques are meticulously followed.
- Clinicians must remain vigilant about aseptic protocols when using MDVs to prevent potential microbial contamination.
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