Hong Kong's Department of Health on Tuesday demanded a recall of a US-made eye surgical solution that it says contains endotoxins.

The product, which is used to moisten a patient's eyes during a variety of surgical procedures, is manufactured by US company Cytosol Laboratories, according to the department.

Consumers are advised by the department not to buy or use Cytosol Ophthalmics Balanced Salt Solution which contains elevated levels of endotoxin, a potentially harmful substance.

The department added that endotoxins, also known as pyrogens, are substances found in certain bacteria that cause a wide variety of serious reactions including fever, shock, blood pressure fluctuations, and changes in other circulatory functions.

The product is registered in Hong Kong with the registration number HK-42212. The importer has been instructed to recall the product. A total of 31,312 bottles of the product have been distributed in Hong Kong over the last two years.

The bottles were supplied to 25 institutions including Hospital Authority hospitals, private hospitals and clinics. All the hospitals and clinics have been informed of the recall.

However, the health department has yet to receive any report of serious adverse effects related to the use of this product.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)