Multistate Outbreak of Postprocedural Fungal Endophthalmitis Associated with a Single Compounding Pharmacy — United States, March–April 2012

Huang et al describe the current investigative findings of multistate fungal endophthalmitis outbreak in the US during Mar-Apr 2012. The initial investigation at a single California ambulatory surgical center determined that in all cases patients had undergone vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane peeling using a dye called Brilliant Blue-G (BBG) from Franck's Compounding Lab in Ocala FL. As of Apr 30, a total of 33 cases have been identified, with earliest onset of symptoms in Nov 2011. Of these, 20 cases are associated with BBG dye use, and 13 are associated with triamcinolone use. All BBG or triamcinolone products administered to patients reportedly were purchased from Franck's.