Endophthalmitis Outbreak Associated with Repackaged Bevacizumab (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/1/14-1040)

摘要

To the Editor: An outbreak of endophthalmitis associated with repackaged bevacizumab occurred during February–March 2013 in Georgia and Indiana, USA. Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA) is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an antineoplastic agent but is commonly used off-label to treat retinal disorders, including age-related macular degeneration ( 1 , 2 ). Bevacizumab is manufactured in single-use, preservative-free, 4-mL vials; compounding pharmacies repackage bevacizumab into syringes for intraocular administration at smaller doses (e.g., 1.25 mg bevacizumab in 0.05-mL injection). Repackaged bevacizumab has been linked to endophthalmitis outbreaks worldwide in which compounding procedure deficiencies have led to microbial contamination and subsequent endophthalmitis ( 3 – 7 ). Endophthalmitis often results in vision loss, particularly if the infection is not identified early and treated aggressively ( 4 – 6 ).