Several brands of Providine Iodine Prep Pads used to prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns and to prepare the skin prior to surgery, are being recalled because testing showed the pads may be contaminated with a bacterium that may cause serious and even life-threatening infections.

The affected providine iodine prep pads were manufactured by H & P Industries and include the brand names Cardinal Health, Medical Specialties, VHA, Triad, Triad Plus, North Safety and Total Resources. They were distributed nationwide to health care customers and are packaged in individual packets and sold in a box of 100 packets.

Analytical testing revealed the presence of a type of bacterium known as Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. It has been reported to cause outbreaks of meningitis predominately in premature newborns and infants in the neonatal intensive care units of underdeveloped countries, and in those cases can be traced back to contaminated medical supplies and tap water. In rare cases, it can cause nosocomial pnemonia, endocarditis, postoperative bacteremia, and meningitis in adults with compromised immune systems. Treatment options for patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infections are limited.

Consumers, healthcare facilities and pharmacies should inspect their inventories for Providine Iodine Prep Pads manufactured by H & P Industries, and contact the manufacturer to arrange a return. The products should not be used.

Any serious side effects or illnesses occurring after use of the pads should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program at www.FDA.gov/MedWatch.