Author(s):

Kaniz Fatema, Sowmitra Ranjan Chakraborty, Tohora Sultana, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Niaz Muhammad Kamali, Kamal Kanta Das, Rashed Noor

Abstract: Present study performed a time course analysis of microbiological contamination level within the pediatric oral liquid drugs commonly available in Dhaka metropolis. Employing cultural and biochemical methods of microbial isolation, the contaminating microorganisms were quantified both from the fresh drugs in sealed bottles and also after 21 days of drug usage. All 20 samples were found to be populated with huge bacteria which were further found to be heightened after 21 days. While fungal presence was nominal during the initial assessment, most of the samples were found to support the fungal growth after 21 days. Staphylococcal growth was observed to be the most predominant after 21 days, followed by the growth of Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and E. coli. The study of antibiogram revealed that most of the bacterial isolates were found to be resistant against ampicillin 10 mg, ciprofloxacin 5 mg, amoxicillin 10 mg and piperacillin 10 mg. Other drugs, including ciprofloxacin 5 mg, gentamicin 10 mg, nalidixic acid 30 mg, ceftriazone 30 mg, chloramphenicol 10 mg, erythromycin 15 mg, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 25 mg and erythromycin 15 mg were also found to be ineffective against the bacterial isolates to a moderate extent. Based on the findings of the increase in microorganisms along with the time of usage as well as the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria with the pediatric drug samples tested, a stringent regulation on the regular microbiological assessment of the drugs is of significance for the sake of consumer safety as well as for the overall public health management.

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