Growth of micro-organisms in solutions of intravenous anaesthetic agents.

This controlled bench study compared the growth of bacteria and yeast in solutions of commonly used intravenous anaesthetic agents at room and body temperatures. Drugs presented in aqueous emulsions support both bacterial and fungal growth. Five out of the six solutions supported the growth of yeast. The one exception was chlormethiazole, which is both fungicidal and bactericidal. Solutions of drugs which will support growth of micro-organisms should be used with great care and they should not be stored or infused over prolonged periods.