title: Proteeae groin skin carriage among nursing home residents--resistance to antiseptics.
abstract: Proteeae carriage was evaluated in groin skin carriers following vigorous antiseptic application. Three Proteus mirabilis carriers were treated with 60% isopropyl alcohol or 4% chlorhexidine, observed to prevent skin contact, and then recultured; at four and eight hours P mirabilis numbers remained undiminished. Ten Proteeae carriers received a series of nine body baths with soap, chlorhexidine, and 0.75% povidone-iodine plus three cefazolin injections over 16 to 34 days; cumulative treatments failed to clear seven carriers. Within three months, all were again carriers. Proteeae carriers also had affinity for groin carriage of various aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) including cefazolin-resistant strains. In seven subjects, more than one AGNB species were recovered shortly after applying an antiseptic. Proteeae groin skin carriage appears to reflect a major change in the nature of resident bacteria on intact groin skin.
authors.affiliation: Florida Consortium for Infection Control, Miami 33143.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Ehrenkranz
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local