Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the growth of microorganisms in Botulinum Toxin vials after refrigeration for four weeks.
Methods :
An observational study was conducted between June 2021 and January 2022. We included a total of three botulinum toxin vials. After conventional hand washing, withdrawing the plastic cup and metallic top, as well as its gummy portion, we performed conventional preparation with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. After relocating the metallic and gummy tops and shaking the vial to ensure a homogenous solution, we used the streak plate method to cultivate 0.1ml from each vial onto Blood Agar and Papa Agar by duplicates. Plaques were incubated at 37°C for bacterial growth and at 28°C for fungi. We conducted lectures every 24 hours for up to 72 hours to evaluate for microorganism growth. After cultivation, the vials were stored in a refrigerator at 2–8°C with the gummy top in place. The cultivation processes were repeated at five-time points: at the constitution, 24 hours after vial preparation, at one, two, three, and four weeks. The vials were not cleaned before or after the manipulation. They were not handled under sterile conditions (surgical handwashing, sterile gloves, or vial sterilization), only handwashing, or nitrile gloves.
Results :
No bacterial or fungal growth was observed in botulinum toxin vials after four weeks of refrigeration.
Conclusions :
In this study, we found no microorganism growth after four weeks of refrigeration, despite the manipulation of vials. Further studies may provide more information regarding their safety in patients.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.