Bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide on .

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (HO) on (). We hypothesize that HO reduces the bacterial burden of .

METHODS

The effect of HO was assessed by testing bactericidal effect, time course analysis, growth inhibition, and minimum bactericidal concentration. To assess the bactericidal effect, bacteria were treated for 30 minutes with 0%, 1%, 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% HO in saline or water and compared with 3% topical HO solution. For time course analysis, bacteria were treated with water or saline (controls), 3% HO in water, 3% HO in saline, or 3% topical solution for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. Results were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Minimum inhibitory concentration of HO after 30 minutes is 1% for HO prepared in saline and water. The 3% topical solution was as effective when compared with the 1% HO prepared in saline or water. The controls of both saline and water showed no reduction of bacteria. After five minutes of exposure, all mixtures of HO reduced the percentage of live bacteria, with the topical solution being most effective (p < 0.0001). Maximum growth inhibition was achieved with topical 3% HO.

CONCLUSION

The inexpensive and commercially available topical solution of 3% HO demonstrated superior bactericidal effect as observed in the minimum bactericidal inhibitory concentration, time course, and colony-forming unit (CFU) inhibition assays. These results support the use of topical 3% HO for five minutes before surgical skin preparation prior to shoulder surgery to achieve eradication of for the skin.: P. Hernandez, B. Sager, A. Fa, T. Liang, C. Lozano, M. Khazzam. Bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide on . 2019;8:3-10. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.81.BJR-2018-0145.R1.