title: Evaluation of persistent antimicrobial effects of an antimicrobial formulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming more prevalent in healthy athletic populations. Various preventive measures have been proposed, but few researchers have evaluated the protective effects of a prophylactic application of a commercially available product.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the persistent antimicrobial properties of a commercially available antimicrobial product containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens) with those of a mild, nonmedicated soap (Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microbiology laboratory, contract research organization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy human volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The test and control products were randomly assigned and applied to both forearms of each participant. Each forearm was washed for 2 minutes with the test or control product, rinsed, and dried. At, 1, 2, and 4 hours after application, each forearm was exposed to MRSA for approximately 30 minutes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in numbers of MRSA recovered from each forearm, test and control, at each post-application time point were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer MRSA (P < .0001) were recovered from the forearms treated with the test product (4% chlorhexidine gluconate) than from the forearms treated with the control product (nonmedicated soap).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate product demonstrated persistent bactericidal activity versus MRSA for up to 4 hours after application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. mferrara@uga.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Courson
authors.forename: Daryl S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Paulson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012915:Soaps / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012915:Soaps; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine