Evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium. Antimicrobial effects of muscle relaxants

Some anaesthetic agents may be contaminated with microorganisms during the process of preparing an infusion. For this reason, it is important to understand the antimicrobial effects of various anaesthetic agents, which have been investigated to some degree in previous studies. However, studies specifically focusing on antibacterial effects of neuromuscular blocking drugs (anaesthetic agents) are very rare. Herein, we analysed the antimicrobial effects of atracurium, rocuronium, and mivacurium, on four different microorganisms. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium were investigated using the broth microdilution method. The pH of the test solutions was determined using a pH meter. The test microorganisms included Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus fecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The pH of the test solutions ranged between 7.20 and 7.32. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium for S. auereus, E. fecalis, E. coli and P. Aeruginosa were all found to be 512 μg/mL. Atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium inhibit the growth of common intensive care unit pathogens at the same concentration (512 μg.mL–1). Thus, the neuromuscular blocking drugs, atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium should be administered at a minimum concentration of 512 μg/mL in intensive care units to achieve this antibacterial effect. In our opinion, when used systemically, atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium do not cause a systemic antibacterial effect. However, their antibacterial effects may be advantageous for inhibiting the spread of bacterial contamination during the preparation of the infusion solutions.