GROWTH OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS IN 4 INTRAVENOUS ANESTHETICS

Patient infections related to the use of propofol have been reported. To investigate the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in propofol, thiope ntal, methohexital, etomidate, and 0.9% saline containing no bacterios tatic drug, these preparations were inoculated and samples were plated onto blood agar at 0, 3, 6, 21, 24, and 27 h. The number of colony-fo rming units (CFU) on the plates was then determined after 24 h of incu bation. Samples from the inoculated etomidate solution showed zero CFU at 3 h and thereafter, whereas 21 h were required by the methohexital and thiopental solutions to reduce the number of CFU to zero. For nor mal saline, no significant change in CFU was seen before the first 6 h , then the number of CFU gradually declined, although some S. aureus C FU were still present at 27 h. Inoculation of the propofol emulsion re sulted in a substantial growth of S. aureus between 6 and 21 h after i noculation. We conclude that, of the preparations tested, only propofo l was an excellent medium for the rapid growth of S. aureus. Meticulou s sterile technique, therefore, is advised when handling it.