Rapid Detection of Microbial Contamination in Intravenous Fluids by ATP-based Monitoring System

Abstract

We describe herein 4 clinical cases of microbial contamination of in-use intravenous infusion, in which we detected microbial contamination in the infusion fluid by measuring “Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) + adenosine monophosphate (AMP)” values. High “ATP+AMP” values correlate with microbial contamination, and by utilizing these values as indicator for microbial contamination possibility, we were able to rapidly detect the contamination and recommend replacement of catheters and administration sets. In three cases, changing out the infusion fluid led to improvement in patient outcome. The assay used to measure “ATP+AMP” values is fast (several minutes) and convenient, and therefore we recommend measuring the values as one method to ascertain microbial contamination of in-use intravenous infusion fluids.