title: Active halogen compounds and proteinaceous material: loss of activity of topical anti-infectives by halogen consumption.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The activity of oxidants, such as halogens and active halogen compounds, decreases generally in the presence of proteinaceous material. A quantification of consumption effects was performed to judge the suitability of different representatives as antiseptics and their compatibility with pharmaceutical additives.
  
  
  METHODS
  An iodometric approach served to assess the temporal loss of oxidation capacity in the presence of peptone and fetal calf serum (FCS). The tested agents comprised active halogen compounds, well-known and in particular novel chloramine-based agents indicated for the topical treatment of infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The decrease in oxidation capacity was higher in the presence of FCS than of peptone and correlated with the reactivity of the oxidants in both cases. The highest consumption rates were for active bromine compounds followed by hypochlorous acid and heterocyclic chlorimides, such as dichloro-isocyanuric acid, while N-chlorotaurine and related amine-based analogues were least consumed. The pH dependence was only remarkable for chloramine T.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed consumption effects are the result of the differing oxidizing (chlorinating) potencies. Since consumption and irritation are founded on the very same reactions, representatives with low reactivity (N-chloro amino acids) are regarded as more tolerable and retain more oxidative capacity, which provides a more sustained antimicrobial activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gottardi
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagl
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001966:Bromine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D002700:Chloramines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006219:Halogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006997:Hypochlorous Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010461:Peptones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044967:Serum; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002700:Chloramines; D006219:Halogens; D016877:Oxidants; D010461:Peptones; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D014227:Triazines; C016300:chloramine-T; C509473:isocyanuric acid; D013654:Taurine; C043410:N-chlorotaurine; D006997:Hypochlorous Acid; C030816:chloramine; D001966:Bromine