Keywords

polihexanide-based antiseptic, antisepsis, chlorhexidine

Authors

1. Egli-Gany, Dianne MSc
2. Brill, Florian H.H. PhD
3. Hintzpeter, Matthias PhD
4. Andree, Simone MSc
5. Pavel, Viktoria PhD

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of polihexanide 0.02% and 0.04% with chlorhexidine 0.05% after 30 minutes of topical treatment on healthy intact skin.

DESIGN: This study was performed as a double-blind, randomized, comparator-controlled, 3-arm, crossover study.

SETTING: A phase I dermatological study unit.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty healthy volunteers with intact skin.

INTERVENTIONS: Test areas of 5 cm² on the subjects' arms were treated with the investigational products using a polyurethane swab. Skin swabs were taken before and after treatment for quantitative microbial evaluation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was the log reduction factor of colony-forming units on the skin after 30 minutes of treatment.

MAIN RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was seen between both of the polihexanide test products (mean lgRF polihexanide 0.02%, 1.2251 [SD, 0.9399]; mean lgRF polihexanide 0.04%, 1.8991 [SD, 0.88]) and the comparator, chlorhexidine 0.05% (P > .1).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that polihexanide is a suitable alternative to chlorhexidine for skin and wound antisepsis.