Antimicrobial activity of a new intact skin antisepsis formulation.
Different antiseptic formulations have shown limitations when applied to disinfecting intact skin, notably short-term tolerability and/or efficacy. The purpose of this study was optimizing a new antiseptic formulation specifically targeted at intact skin disinfection and evaluating its in vitro microbicidal activity and in vivo efficacy.


METHODS
The biocidal properties of the antiseptic solution containing 0.5% chloramine-T diluted in 50% isopropyl alcohol (Cloral; Eurospital SpA Trieste, Italy) were measured in vitro versus gram-positive-, gram-negative-, and acid-alcohol-resistant germs and fungi with standard suspension tests in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Virus-inhibiting activity was evaluated in vitro against human cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, poliovirus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus. Tests used different methods for the different biologic and in vitro replication capacity of these human viruses. Lastly, Cloral tolerability and skin colonization retardation efficacy after disinfection were studied in vivo.


RESULTS
The antiseptic under review showed fast and sustained antimicrobial activity. The efficacy of Cloral against clinically important bacterial and viral pathogens and fungi was highlighted under the experimental conditions described in this article. Finally, microbial regrowth lag and no side effects were documented in vivo after disinfection of 11 volunteers.


CONCLUSIONS
A stable chloramine-T solution in isopropyl alcohol may be suggested for intact skin antisepsis.
Russo
Antonello
A
Hospital Division, Eurospital SpA, Trieste, Italy.
Viotti
Pier Luigi
PL
Vitali
Matteo
M
Clementi
Massimo
M
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002700:Chloramines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000517:prevention & control; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002700:Chloramines; D004202:Disinfectants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C016300:chloramine-T; D019840:2-Propanol