The antimicrobial activity of 5-chloro-2(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol (triclosan, one of the active ingredients of Logamel®, Ciba-Geigy) was compared in vitro with that of other antimicrobials exclusively or occasionally used as topical agents in dermatology: hexachlorophene, clioquinol, chlorquinaldol. gentamicin, neomycin, nystatin, econazole, clotrimazole and salicylic acid. Upon determination of the MICs for 53 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi, triclosan was found to display a high degree of activity against most of the test organisms and to have the broadest spectrum of chemotherapeutically significant antimicrobial activity of the substances tested.

Groups of guinea pigs were sensitized with a 0.1% solution of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) by the Draize intracutaneous method. The course of the induction process, the influence of the vehicles used and the extent to which the reactions are amenable to assessment according to objective criteria were examined. The sensitivity of the standardized Draize test was then compared with that of various other sensitization techniques, including: The intracutaneous test with adjuvant (optimization test) The maximization test according to Magnusson & Kligman (1969) The epidermal sensitization test The epidermal sensitization test with prior irritation of the contact site (by croton oil or sodium lauryl sulphate). Comparison of these methods revealed that either the additional application of adjuvant or prior irritation of the contact site augmented the degree of sensitization of DNCB just as greatly as the simultaneous use of adjuvant and prior irritation of the skin, (maximization test). The improved sensitization methods, and in particular the standardized optimization test, may prove to be of particular value for the study of so-called weak allergens.

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The acute contra-inflammatory effects of salicylic acid, three standard dermatocorticoids and four contact antiphlogistics have been investigated by means of a UV dermatitis inhibition test in the guinea pig. The substances tested had a distinct inhibitory effect on the development of erythema and can be ranked in the following ascending order of activity (percent of maximum possible score): bufexamac = 36%, salicylic acid = 37%, hydrocortisone = 44%, acetylsalicylic acid = 48%, flumethasone pivalate = 51%, fluocinolone acetonide = 52%, phenylbutazone = 56%, and indomethacin = 58%.

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