The effect of antibacterial soap on impetigo incidence, Karachi, Pakistan.
We conducted a study to determine if soap containing 1.2% triclocarban would be effective in reducing the incidence of impetigo. We randomized 162 households in a low-income neighborhood of Karachi, Pakistan, to receive a regular supply of 1.2% triclocarban-containing soap (n = 81) or an identically appearing placebo (n = 81); 79 households in a nearby neighborhood were enrolled as standard practice controls. After adjustment for household clustering and covariates, the incidence of impetigo among children living in households receiving triclocarban-containing soap (1.10 episodes per 100 person-weeks) was 23% lower than in households receiving placebo soap (P = 0.28) and 43% lower than the standard habit and practice controls (P = 0.02). The routine use of triclocarban-containing soap by children living in a community with a high incidence of impetigo was associated with a reduced incidence of impetigo.
Luby
Stephen
S
National Center of Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. SLuby@cdc.gov
Agboatwalla
Mubina
M
Schnell
Beverly M
BM
Hoekstra
Robert M
RM
Rahbar
Mohammad H
MH
Keswick
Bruce H
BH
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015994:Incidence; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012915:Soaps; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012915:Soaps