An investigation of the bactericidal activity of chlorhexidine digluconateagainst multidrug-resistant hospital isolates

Authors: MELİKE EKİZOĞLU, MERAL SAĞIROĞLU, EKREM KILIÇ, AYŞE GÜLŞEN HASÇELİK

Abstract: Background/aim: Hospital infections are among the most prominent medical problems around the world. Using proper biocides1397645907in an appropriate way is critically important in overcoming this problem. Several reports have suggested that microorganisms may develop resistance or reduce their susceptibility to biocides, similar to the case with antibiotics. In this study we aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine digluconate against clinical isolates. Materials and methods: The susceptibility of 120 hospital isolated strains of 7 bacterial genera against chlorhexidine digluconate was determined by agar dilution test, using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and the EN 1040 Basic Bactericidal Activity Test to determine the bactericidal activity. According to MIC values,1397645907Pseudomonas aeruginosa1397645907and1397645907Stenotrophomonas maltophilia1397645907were found to be less susceptible to chlorhexidine digluconate. Results: Quantitative suspension test results showed that13976459074% chlorhexidine digluconate1397645907was effective against antibiotic resistant and susceptible bacteria after 5 min of contact time and can be safely1397645907used in1397645907our hospital. However, concentrations below 4% chlorhexidine digluconate caused a decrease in bactericidal activity, especially for Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: It is crucial to use biocides at appropriate concentrations and to perform1397645907surveillance1397645907studies to trace resistance1397645907or low susceptibility patterns of1397645907S. aureus, P. aeruginosa,1397645907and other hospital isolates.

Keywords: Biocides, resistance, chlorhexidine digluconate, quantitative suspension test, EN 1040

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