Comparative evaluation of the immediate and sustained antibacterial action of two regimens, based on triclosan- and chlorhexidine-containing handwash preparations, on volunteers.

The degerming effect of a 3 min handwash with 2% triclosan, or 4% chlorhexidine, in detergent and enhanced efficacy of either antiseptic in isopropyl alcohol, was evaluated in volunteers. Handwashing with either antiseptic preparation reduced the normal flora by a factor of 10; alcohol rubbing by approximately a factor of 1000. Both regimens eliminated Micrococcus roseus, artificially inoculated before every procedure. The sustained action of the same detergent preparations was further studied in gloved and ungloved hands by the Vinson's 'finger imprint test'. In the gloved hand both antiseptics inhibited Staphylococcus epidermidis for 4 h. In the ungloved hand however, triclosan remained active longer than chlorhexidine. Whilst the activity of chlorhexidine was short-lived against a clinical isolate of S. aureus, particularly in the ungloved hand, the sustained effect of triclosan against the same strain persisted for 4 h on either hand.