Study of the antiseptic efficacy of a quick drying rubbing type povidone-iodine alcoholic disinfectant solution by the glove juice method.

The antiseptic efficacy of HAD Hand Wash (83% ethanol containing 0.5% povidone-iodine) was investigated by the glove-juice method in 29 cases amongst staff members of our university. The number of viable bacteria on the hands and fingers was counted three times, and the mean of these counts was used as the baseline value for each subject. The number of viable bacteria on both hands was the same prior to disinfection. After the hands were disinfected by rubbing with 3 ml of HAD Hand Wash until it dried, the subjects put on sterile gloves. The number of viable bacteria was counted on the right hand of all the subjects immediately after disinfection. The number of viable bacteria on the left hand was counted in 8 subjects 30 minutes after disinfection, and in 7 subjects each 1, 2 and 4 hours after disinfection. The bacteria were identified by subculture. The ratio of bacteria sterilized (bacterial reduction rate) was 75.4% immediately after disinfection, and 69.0%, 71.9%, 35.8% and 27.6% at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours, respectively. All of the bacteria detected were Gram-positive bacteria that were native to the sebaceous glands, sweat glands or skin surface; i.e. Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Streptococcus. The frequency of detection of Staphylococcus warneri was the highest before disinfection, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis, in that order. After disinfection, all these species showed a marked decrease in the number of bacteria. Micrococcus remained in half the subjects, while other species remained in less than one third of the subjects.