Evaluation for sterility of four crystalloid solutions used in preservation of harvested canine kidneys intended for transplant

This study investigated the sterility and Preservability of Ringer.s Lactate, Darrows, 5% dextrose and Normal Saline solutions used as preservatives for 16 freshly harvested normal canine kidneys from 16 Nigerian local dogs of non specific sex and weight. Nephrectomised kidneys were flushed and preserved for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours at 4 0C in labeled bowls containing heparinized antibiotics incorporated in the solutions with each having its control (without antibiotic penicillin/streptomycin incorporated). Pre and post preservation, a loop-full of each solution was cultured on freshly prepared two general purpose media (Blood and nutrient agar) and one selective medium (MacConkey agar). They were incubated at 37 0C for 48 hours after which they were examined for bacterial growth. Histological studies of the preserved kidneys were used to predict preservability. There was no evidence of microbial growth upon 96 hours of culture for all the solutions their respective controls). Generally, the gross appearances of the kidneys were normal indicative of viability. In conclusion, the indigenous, commercially produced intravenous fluids that were used for preservation of harvested kidneys were sterile before and after 96 hours of preservation. This was evident by the absence of microbial growth in both groups of the solutions after 96 hours preservation.