title: Comparative study on the antimicrobial effects of Hexomedine and Betadine on the human skin flora.
abstract: Studies were carried out to detect the modifications, if any, on the peri-umbilical flora of six healthy volunteers after two or three daily applications of Hexomedine solution (HEX) and Betadine solution (PVI) repeated for five consecutive days. A standardized scrubbing method was used for bacterial sampling. Surviving bacteria were selected with both selective and non-selective media, and then identified by gas chromatographic fatty acid analysis. Both antiseptics were highly effective, showing both immediate and residual antimicrobial activities. The use of HEX led to a slight increase in Gram-positive cocci and a small decrease in coryneforms, but PVI produced a marked increase in Gram-positive cocci and a sharp decrease in coryneforms. The two antiseptics, however, caused no major alteration in the cutaneous microbial population. Indeed, neither the overgrowth of Gram-negative bacilli nor the emergence of resistant species was observed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Hygiène Microbienne, Immunologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crémieux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001550:Benzamidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001550:Benzamidines; C018961:hexamidine; D011206:Povidone-Iodine