The feasibility of replacing antibiotics by quaternary ammonium compounds in topical antimicrobial acne therapy.

Determinations of the minimum inhibitory concentrations for various antimicrobial surfactants with reference to the bacteria P. acnes, P. granulosum, and St. epidermidis are reported. The results show that quaternary ammonium compounds can display minimum inhibitory concentrations corresponding to those of relevant antibiotics. With the especially effective substance fractionated dimethylcocobenzalkoniumchloride )ARQUAD DMMCD-B), it could be further shown that with in vivo application in 70% isopropanol or in an ethanol-containing film mask ointment suppression can be obtained of P. acnes, all propionibacteria added, and all pilosebaceous duct bacteria which can be cultured under anaerobic conditions. The studies may point out a way of replacing antibiotics in the antimicrobial therapy of acne by quaternary ammonium compounds.