title: Activity of Drill® lozenges on the main microorganisms responsible for upper respiratory tract infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of sore throat, considered to be essentially due to viral infection, does not require the use of antibiotics. The recommended treatment is therefore based on the use of topical anaesthetics and antiseptics. Throat lozenges play a leading role in topical treatment by allowing immediate, massive and persistent release of the active molecule at the site of infection. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the short-term and long-term in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Drill(®) lozenges in relation to the main pathogens responsible for upper respiratory tract infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bactericidal and virucidal activity in relation to the main microorganisms responsible for upper respiratory tract infections, including the H1N1 influenza virus, was evaluated after short (5 minutes) and long (3h) contact times, according to a methodology complying with European standards for the evaluation of chemical antiseptics and disinfectants. In parallel, the global antibacterial activity was determined on 30 strains representative of the resident flora by determination of maximum inhibitory dilutions (MID) and maximum bactericidal dilutions (MBD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Drill(®) lozenges presented an antibacterial activity inducing significant (>90%) destruction of the main upper respiratory tract pathogens after a 5-minute contact time at high concentration and after a 3-hour contact time after dilution. Drill(®) lozenges also exerted an antiviral activity inducing 2 log (99%) destruction of the H1N1 virus after a 5-min contact time at high concentration, with maintenance of this activity after dilution (3h). A homogeneous antibacterial activity was observed on the resident flora.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These in vitro tests confirm the value of chlorhexidine lozenges in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections such as sore throat.
authors.affiliation: Fonderephar, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.affiliation: Fonderephar, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvatico
authors.affiliation: Fonderephar, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Belkhelfa
authors.affiliation: Fonderephar, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haddioui
authors.affiliation: Fonderephar, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France; LGC, UMR 5503, UPS, laboratoire de microbiologie industrielle, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques, 35, chemin des Maraîchers, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France. Electronic address: ch.roques@wanadoo.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roques
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local
keywords: Chlorhexidine; H1N1 virus; Sore throat; Upper respiratory tract infections