title: Hand carriage of gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: The influence of hexachlorophane disinfection on the bacterial hand flora of hospital personnel has been examined. Hexachlorophane effectively reduced the total number of bacteria and the staphylococcal carriage. Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from 18.8% of the personnel, and 13% of the carriers continued to carry Gram-negative bacilli for more than six months. The carrier rate was significantly higher among those using hexachlorophane detergents (20.8%) than among those using plain soap (14.1%). Prolonged hand carriage of Gram-negative bacilli was often associated with skin irritation, especially of the nailfolds. Hand carriage may be an important source of Gram-negative infections in hospital, and the increase in these infections may partly be due to extensive use of hexachlorophane preparations.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002353:Carrier State; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006582:Hexachlorophene; D006801:Humans; D010304:Paronychia / Q000453:epidemiology; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012915:Soaps; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012915:Soaps; D006582:Hexachlorophene