title: Chlorhexidine avoids skin bacteria recolonization more than triclosan.
abstract: We do not know whether differences exist between the residual effect of 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol when compared with 1% triclosan in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
  
  
  
  Using an analytic, longitudinal, controlled, and comparative experimental trial, with blinded measurements, we recruited healthy, adult volunteers from the University of Guanajuato who completed a stabilization phase of skin microbiota and had no history of skin allergies. Four 25-cm2areas of the inner surface of the forearms were designated for study: unscrubbed control for establishing baseline bacterial counts, scrubbed control with tridistilled water, scrubbed with chlorhexidine, and scrubbed with triclosan. Quantitative cultures were taken of all the areas at 0, 3, and 24 hours, using agar plates with neutralizing agents.
  
  
  
  A total of 135 healthy volunteers were tested. At 24 hours, the unscrubbed control counts were 288 CFU/cm2, whereas the scrubbed control counts were 96 CFU/cm2; 24 CFU/cm2for chlorhexidine and 96 CFU/cm2for triclosan (Kruskal-Wallis χ2H = 64.27; P <.001).
  
  
  
  Chlorhexidine is the best antiseptic option when a prolonged antiseptic effect is needed; for instance, when implanting medical devices or performing surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mildred F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; G70 Antisepsis, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arreguin
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandro E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina y Nutricion, Universidad de Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajio, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. Electronic address: alvarez_ja@me.com.
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014260:Triclosan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D014260:Triclosan; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Antiseptics; biguanides; chlorine derivatives