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Comparative evaluation of the immediate and sustained antibacterial action of two regimens, based on triclosan- and chlorhexidine-containing handwash preparations, on volunteers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

C. A. Bartzokas ,
J. E. Corkill ,
T. Makin  and
E. Parry
C. A. Bartzokas
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral L63 4JY
J. E. Corkill
Affiliation:
University Department of Medical Microbiology, Duncan Building, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XW
T. Makin
Affiliation:
University Department of Medical Microbiology, Duncan Building, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XW
E. Parry
Affiliation:
Department of Business Studies, Manchester Polytechnic, Aytoun Building, Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3GH
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The degerming effect of a 3 min handwash with 2% triclosan, or 4% chlorhexidine, in detergent and enhanced efficacy of either antiseptic in isopropyl alcohol, was evaluated in volunteers. Handwashing with either antiseptic preparation reduced the normal flora by a factor of 10; alcohol rubbing by approximately a factor of 1000. Both regimens eliminated Micrococcus roseus, artificially inoculated before every procedure. The sustained action of the same detergent preparations was further studied in gloved and ungloved hands by the Vinson's ‘finger imprint test’. In the gloved hand both antiseptics inhibited Staphylococcus epidermidis for 4 h. In the ungloved hand however, triclosan remained active longer than chlorhexidine. Whilst the activity of chlorhexidine was short-lived against a clinical isolate of S. aureus, particularly in the ungloved hand, the sustained effect of triclosan against the same strain persisted for 4 h on either hand.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 98 , Issue 3 , June 1987 , pp. 337 - 344
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

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