A Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is linked to the recalled eye drops from the brands EzriCare and Delsam Pharma by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death toll has risen to three in the outbreak of this extremely drug-resistant bacteria.
According to the latest update from CDC, there are reports of three deaths, eight counts of eyesight loss, and four counts of eyeball removals due to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Additionally, there are 68 identified cases of bacterial infection across 16 states of the United States Of America.
What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
As per CDC, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a strain of bacteria that causes blood, lung, and other infections in the body. It is responsible for malignant external otitis, endophthalmitis, endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia. These bacteria often find ways to fight antibiotics and become drug-resistant.
However, according to CBC, this Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain is rare to find and it has been discovered in the US for the first time. This is why it is even more challenging for doctors to find complete treatment. Moreover, the strain is showing resistance to many well-known antibiotics.
According to CBS News, CDC spokesperson Martha Sharan confirmed Pseudomonas’ involvement in one of the patients’ death. However, its influence in the other two deaths is still unknown.
Sharan also didn’t disclose the exact location and time of the reported deaths, part from stating that they occurred during the month when specimens of the bacteria were collected.
CDC recalls three eye drops from the market in light of rising death toll
Lethal Eye Drop Recall!….3 people die after using contaminated eyedrops bought at Walmart, CVS and Target: 8 lose vision, 4 have eyeballs surgically removed…. rare bacterial superbug in solution…….. https://t.co/u5nsTTRE36
— TJ King (@tjking) March 23, 2023
Currently, the CDC has recalled three eyedrops from the brands EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. They are all imported from the Indian pharmaceutical company Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited.
Health authorities suspected the recent outbreak is related to over-the-counter eye drop products that are easily available for purchase online and in retail stores.
Some certified ophthalmologist offices prescribed and sold the eye drops as well. CBC spokesperson Martha Sharan confirmed that two of the late patients used EzriCare eye drops, while the third patient was linked to patients who did.
Apart from these, CBC recalls two more eye drops namely, Apotex Corp. and Pharmedica USA LLC. However, they aren’t directly related to the recent contamination reports.
CDC confirms a San Diago-based university has discovered a bacteriophage
As the death toll rises CDC confirms that researchers at the University of California have discovered a bacteriophage that can help in the treatment of this extremely drug-resistant infection.
The university’s Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics previously mentioned these phage therapies are allegedly helpful in the treatment of drug-resistant bacteria.
As per their description, the phage treatments deploy viruses aiming to attack the bacteria and as a result, fight the infections caused by drug-resistant strains.
Dr. Robert Schooley, co-director of the center, shared their progress with phage to CBS News via Email. As per the statement, the center hasn’t cured the outbreak samples sent by CDC yet.
However, they are in the process of sorting intricacies with doctors. Additionally, they’re also continuing to find other active phages that can help with the outbreak.
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