Clinical correlation of a skin antisepsis model.

The use of pigskin as a test substrate for evaluating topical antimicrobial activity has been developed. Simulated handwashing protocols with this in vitro model in parallel with in vivo studies have been evaluated, based on an ASTM method for the clinical evaluation of a healthcare personnel handwash. Using Serratia marcescens as the test organism, similar log reductions were observed using the in vitro model when compared to in vivo efficacy. Results suggest that this model can be used as a reliable indicator of antiseptic efficacy on the skin. The use of sterilized skin simplifies the use of this model for both efficacy and skin-pathogen interaction studies.