Efficacy of common antiseptics against mycobacteria.
OBJECTIVE
Antiseptics are frequently used to prevent mycobacterial infection; however, the reported activities of a number of antiseptics against mycobacteria are not always consistent. The aim of this study was to determine those antiseptics that are useful against mycobacteria.


METHODS
Evaluation of antiseptic activity against mycobacteria in vitro.


RESULTS
The effects of different antiseptics on mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium, M. kansasii and M. tuberculosis) were examined. At concentrations of 0.05%, povidone-iodine (PVP-I) killed 99% or more of all strains tested within 15 seconds, while 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate and 0.1% benzalkonium chloride showed no bactericidal activity against mycobacteria. M. kansasii and M. tuberculosis were killed after exposure to cresol for 60 seconds at concentrations of 1.0%, but M. avium was unaffected even after 60 seconds. While M. kansasii and M. tuberculosis were killed by treatment with 2.0% glutaraldehyde for 5 minutes, M. avium was highly resistant to this agent.


CONCLUSIONS
PVP-I seems to be a useful antiseptic against mycobacteria. The measured activity of antiseptics should be interpreted carefully, due to the potential for interference by artifacts.
Rikimaru
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan. riki@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Kondo
M
M
Kondo
S
S
Oizumi
K
K
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine