Antimicrobial efficacy of 3 oral antiseptics containing octenidine, polyhexamethylene biguanide, or Citroxx: can chlorhexidine be replaced?
BACKGROUND
Use of oral antiseptics decreases the bacterial load in the oral cavity.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the antimicrobial activity of 3 novel oral antiseptics with that of chlorhexidine, which is considered the "gold standard" of oral hygiene.


METHODS
Comparative in vitro study.


METHODS
Four common oral microorganisms (Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were tested under standard conditions and at different concentrations, by use of a broth dilution assay and an agar diffusion assay and by calculating the log10 reduction factor (RF). The antimicrobial activity of each antiseptic was assessed by counting the difference in bacterial densities (ie, the log10 number of colony-forming units of bacteria) before and after the disinfection process.


RESULTS
The oral antiseptics containing octenidine (with an RF in the range of 7.1-8.24 CFU/mL) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (with an RF in the range of 7.1-8.24 CFU/mL) demonstrated antimicrobial activity comparable to that of chlorhexidine (with an RF in the range of 1.03-8.24 CFU/mL), whereas the mouth rinse containing Citroxx (Citroxx Biosciences; with an RF in the range of 0.22-1.36 CFU/mL) showed significantly weaker antimicrobial efficacy. Overall, octenidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide were more active at lower concentrations.conclusion. Oral antiseptics containing the antimicrobial agent octenidine or polyhexamethylene biguanide may be considered as potent alternatives to chlorhexidine-based preparations.
School of Dentistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Nadine
N
Rohrer
Andreas F
AF
Widmer
Tuomas
T
Waltimo
Eva M
EM
Kulik
Roland
R
Weiger
Elisabeth
E
Filipuzzi-Jenny
Clemens
C
Walter
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007097:Imines; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001645:Biguanides; D007097:Imines; D011725:Pyridines; C031233:polihexanide; C034213:octenidine; D002710:Chlorhexidine