The safety of multi-dose vials in allergy immunotherapy.

Abstract

To prospectively evaluate the risks of vial contamination after routine clinical use of multiple-dose vials for immunotherapy. Prospective observational study of immunotherapy vial cultures from June 2007 to January 2008. Tertiary care outpatient otolaryngology clinic. Over an 8-month period, 136 consecutive vials were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at the 3-month expiration date after regular use in an outpatient allergy clinic and dispensation of multiple doses of injection immunotherapy from each vial. All vials had negative cultures. Immunotherapy vials are at low risk to undergo contamination in routine use. Important factors include aseptic technique, bacteriostatic agents, and expiration dating.