Eye drops linked to U.S. drug-resistant bacteria outbreak

NEW YORK. U.S. health officials said Thursday the company is recalling over-the-counter eye drops that have been linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant infections.

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent out a health alert to doctors saying the outbreak has affected at least 55 people across 12 states. One died and at least five others had permanent vision loss.

Infections, including those found in the blood, urine, and lungs, have been associated with EzriCare artificial tears. Many have said that they have used the product, which is a lubricant used to treat irritation and dryness.

The eye drops are sold under the name EzriCare and are manufactured in India by Global Pharma Healthcare. The Food and Drug Administration said the company has recalled expired batches of expired EzriCare artificial tears and another product, Delsam Pharma artificial tears.

The FDA recommended a recall due to manufacturing issues, including a lack of testing and packaging controls. The agency also blocked importation into the US.

The infections were caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Investigators found it in open bottles of EzriCare, but further testing continued.

EzriCare, the company that sells the eye drops in the US, said it was not aware of any evidence definitively linking the outbreak to the product, but it has stopped distributing the eye drops. It also has a notice on its website urging consumers to stop using the product.

The infections have been diagnosed in patients in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. An adult man from King County, Washington, died from blood poisoning.

The outbreak is considered especially worrisome because the bacteria that causes it are resistant to standard antibiotics.

The researchers found that the bacteria were not susceptible to any of the antibiotics commonly tested in public health laboratories. However, a new antibiotic called cefiderocol seemed to work.

How can eye drops cause infections in the blood or lungs? The eye is connected to the nasal cavity through the tear ducts. Bacteria can travel from the nasal cavity to the lungs. In addition, CDC officials said bacteria in these parts of the body can cause infections elsewhere, such as blood or wounds.

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