Walgreens recalls tens of thousands of bottles of cold treatment over bacterial contamination
People who recently purchased nasal spray from Walgreens are being warned that the product could be contaminated with a potentially dangerous bacteria.
The pharmacy giant has recalled 41,328 bottles of Walgreens Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, the FDA announced in a class II recall.
Class II indicates that the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems.
Samples of the spray were contaminated with Pseudomonas lactis, which is initially derived from cow’s milk and is commonly detected in hospital food, as well as moist environments including mops, hospital sinks and taps.
The FDA announcement did not specify where the bacteria came from or how it contaminated the nasal spray.
Scientists have not yet determined whether a direct route to the brain, as administration through the nasal passages would provide, would cause direct harm.
The exact way this bacterium causes infection is not yet known. A risk to anyone cannot be entirely ruled out but the severe disease threat is almost exclusively aimed at immunocompromised people, such as those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
The scientific community also does not know for certain which antibiotics can effectively kill or stop these bacteria in humans. If an infection occurs, doctors would have no reliable treatment plan, creating a serious health risk.
Walgreens recalled its popular store-brand stuffy nose medicine, having found bacteria in samples of the products
The recall status, according to the latest notice from the FDA, is listed as ongoing. The products were distributed nationwide and have the expiration dates February 28, 2027 and August 31, 2027, in lots #61409 and #71861, respectively.
Consumers who purchased the affected nasal spray should stop using it immediately and may return it to their place of purchase.
The nasal saline spray moisturizes, cleanses, and soothes nasal passages, while also helping wash away pollutants, such as bacteria like S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, and preventing them from sticking to nasal tissues.
It is also safe and gentle enough for infants and can be used by pregnant and nursing mothers.
But when contaminated with certain bacteria, it can be deadly.
The nose is not a sterile environment, but it is a critical gateway to the body, allowing more deadly bacteria to penetrate.
The olfactory nerve in the nose provides a relatively direct pathway to the brain, a route known as olfactory neuroinvasion.
This is a known pathway for some viruses and bacteria to cause encephalitis or meningitis.
Walgreens has recalled 41,328 bottles of its nasal spray in two lots with expiration dates of Feb 28, 2027 and Aug 31, 2027, respectively
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a deadly pathogen that can reach the brain via the olfactory nerve. It can survive and even grow in distilled water, saline and some antiseptic solutions.
If introduced via a nasal spray, it could cause severe sinusitis. If inhaled into the lungs, especially in vulnerable people, it can cause a rapid, destructive pneumonia.
Through the olfactory nerve, P. aeruginosa can also lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and brain abscesses, a life-threatening collection of pus and other materials in the brain.
Burkholderia cepacia is another nightmare pathogen.
The bacteria can metabolize the preservatives used in many nasal sprays, mouthwashes and topical solutions.
Instead of killing the bacteria, the preservative becomes their food source, allowing them to thrive in the product.
While harmless to most healthy people, in vulnerable individuals, especially those with cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease, it can cause ‘cepacia syndrome,’ a severe complication of bacterial pneumonia where lung tissue dies, leading to that tissue becoming liquified and leaving cavities.
Scientists have fewer answers than questions about Pseudomonas lactis, though.
The spray functions to hydrate and soothe the nasal lining while providing a cleansing action to help rinse away environmental pollutants and bacteria
One study in 2022 focused on poultry farms and investigated two specific bacteria, Pseudomonas lactis and Pseudomonas paralactis, found in chicken feces.
Researchers tested them against 12 different antibiotics and discovered that the vast majority were resistant to several essential drugs.
For instance, over 90 percent were resistant to azetronam and trimethoprim and many were also resistant to common penicillin and cephalosporin-type antibiotics.
Finally, the study checked if these bacteria had the potential to be dangerous. They found that a small but significant number of them produced enzymes that are known to help bacteria cause infections by breaking down host tissues.
