Consumer antibacterial soaps: effective or just risky?
BACKGROUND
Much has been written recently about the potential hazards versus benefits of antibacterial (biocide)-containing soaps. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to assess the studies that have examined the efficacy of products containing triclosan, compared with that of plain soap, in the community setting, as well as to evaluate findings that address potential hazards of this use--namely, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.


METHODS
The PubMed database was searched for English-language articles, using relevant keyword combinations for articles published between 1980 and 2006. Twenty-seven studies were eventually identified as being relevant to the review.


RESULTS
Soaps containing triclosan within the range of concentrations commonly used in the community setting (0.1%-0.45% wt/vol) were no more effective than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms and reducing bacterial levels on the hands. Several laboratory studies demonstrated evidence of triclosan-adapted cross-resistance to antibiotics among different species of bacteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of an additional health benefit associated with the use of triclosan-containing consumer soaps over regular soap, coupled with laboratory data demonstrating a potential risk of selecting for drug resistance, warrants further evaluation by governmental regulators regarding antibacterial product claims and advertising. Further studies of this issue are encouraged.
Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548, USA. aielloa@umich.edu
Allison E
AE
Aiello
Elaine L
EL
Larson
Stuart B
SB
Levy
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012915:Soaps; D014260:Triclosan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012915:Soaps; D014260:Triclosan