Effect of Octenisept antiseptic on bioburden of neoplastic ulcers in patients with advanced cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of octenidine dihydrochloride (Octenisept, Schülke & Mayr) on the clinical condition and bacterial flora in neoplastic ulcers.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with advanced cancer and neoplastic ulcers were included in the study. Octenisept-moistened gauze dressings were applied to the ulcers three times daily. The clinical and bacteriological status of the wounds were assessed at baseline and after three weeks of treatment.


RESULTS
Thirty-three bacterial strains were cultured at baseline. After three weeks of treatment, the tests were repeated on 16 patients. Clinical observations confirmed an improvement in the clinical condition of the ulcers, characterised by a reduction in necrosis, exudate levels, erythema and oedema. According to the bacteriological assessment, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus mirabilis were eradicated from the wounds. Enterococcus faecalis persisted in two patients, Escherichia coli in one patient and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in another patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Octenispet was an effective antimicrobial: Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis were eradicated in all ulcers. After three weeks of treatment, none of the ulcers developed an infection and there was an improvement in their clinical condition.
Sopata
M
M
Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland. maciej.sopata@oncology.am.poznan.pl
Ciupińska
M
M
Głowacka
A
A
Muszyński
Z
Z
Tomaszewska
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001458:Bandages; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007097:Imines; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011044:Poland; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D007097:Imines; D011725:Pyridines; C005398:phenoxyethanol; C034213:octenidine