Effect of antimicrobial soap containing chlorhexidine on the microbial flora of skin

Abstract

The qualitative and semiquantitative changes in the aerobic microbial flora of normal skin with the prolonged use of a chlorhexidine scrub (6 months) were investigated. More samples in the chlorhexidine scrub group had gram-negative bacilli in their axilla (63 of 96, 66%) and groin (36 of 96, 38%) than the controls (32 of 66, 49%, for axilla and 7 of 66, 11%, for groin; P = 0.01). Klebsiella and Enterobacter were the predominant organisms in the control and chlorhexidine groups, respectively. The chlorhexidine scrub produced a reduction in the total aerobic counts in the axilla, groin, and between the toes and the fingers. Fewer samples from the chlorhexidine-treated areas revealed the presence of lipophilic diphtheroids than did the controls. Lipophilic diphtheroids were also reduced quantitatively in the groin and axilla with chlorhexidine treatment. No consistent pattern for the other major groups of bacteria was noted between the treatments.

Halo Skeletal Traction Pin Site Care: Toward Developing a Standard of Care

“…Reduced incidence (23% down to 5%) of urinary tract infection has also been associated with use of chlorhexidine glycerol to lubricate the catheter (Miller, Linton, Slade, Gillespie, & Mitchell, 1960). However, chlorhexidine used for a prolonged time period (i.e., 6 months) has been associated with an overgrowth of gram-negative organisms, while maintaining staphylococci (Aly & Maibach, 1976).…”

Evaluating handwashing technique

“…Though many studies in the past few decades have sought to correlate handwashing frequency and agent used with the numbers and types of bacteria on the skin of the hands (Larson 1984, Aly & Maibach 1976, Casewell & Phillips 1977, Ojajarvi 1980), very little has been done to assess the quality or technique of handwashing as practised in clinical settings. Those few published studies that have reported the rating of handwashing technique have used observation tools for which validity and reliability data are unavailable (Fox et al.…”

Evaluating handwashing technique

“…Though many studies in the past few decades have sought to correlate handwashing frequency and agent used with the numbers and types of bacteria on the skin of the hands (Larson 1984, Aly & Maibach 1976, Casewell & Phillips 1977, Ojajarvi 1980, very little has been done to assess the quality or technique of handwashing as practised in clinical settings. Those few published studies that have reported the rating of handwashing technique have used observation tools for which validity and reliability data are unavailable (Fox et al 1974, Taylor 1978.…”