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Published on: February 15, 2011

Inadvertent administration of intravenous fluids contaminated with fungus

J A Daisy, E A Abrutyn, R R MacGregor

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |October 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    A rare case of intravenous fluid contaminated with a fungus ball highlights risks. Most infectious disease specialists surveyed would treat patients with antifungal therapy if symptoms arise or the patient is immunocompromised.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Clinical Medicine

    Background:

    • Intravenous (IV) fluid contamination with fungal elements, such as a "fungus ball," is an uncommon but potentially serious clinical event.
    • Limited data exists regarding the incidence, clinical significance, and optimal management of such occurrences.

    Observation:

    • A case report details a patient inadvertently receiving IV fluid containing a fungus ball.
    • A survey of 113 infectious diseases specialists revealed 18 had encountered 24 such cases.
    • Defective IV fluid containers were frequently implicated, with fungi often being contaminants.

    Findings:

    • One patient developed a significant fungal infection following the infusion.
    • Six other patients experienced transient symptoms temporally associated with the contaminated infusion.
    • Fungi identified were typically contaminants, but one instance led to invasive infection.

    Implications:

    • The findings underscore the importance of vigilance regarding IV fluid sterility.
    • Specialists indicated a consensus towards administering antifungal therapy in specific scenarios: symptomatic patients, immunocompromised individuals, or infections by pathogenic fungi.
    • Further research may be warranted to establish standardized management protocols for fungal contamination in IV fluids.

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