Results of a field study on the influence of HygienicWood mattress toppers on the number of mites in bed dust and the state of health of people with house dust mite allergies

Objectives: So far, there has been no practical or toxicologically non-hazardous way to decimate mites – without interrupting use of beds – in their main reservoir on bed mattresses to such an extent that the allergic condtion of people suffering from house dust mite allergies is reduced or even remedied. As so-called HygienicWood was effective against mites under simulated conditions, the influence of a mattress topper filled with HygienicWood chips on the content of mite antigen Der p1 was to be investigated and the influence on the state of health of the persons concerned analysed at the same time

Antimicrobial efficacy of the combination of chlorhexidine digluconate and dexpanthenol

Objective: The objective of this standardised experimental study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of the combination of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and the anti-inflammatory pro-vitamin dexpanthenol, which stimulates wound-healing, in the form of Bepanthen® Antiseptic Wound Cream, in order to rule out possible antagonistic combination effects of CHX and the alcohol analogue of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) dexpanthenol. Method: Testing was carried out using the quantitative suspension test at conditions simulating wound bio-burden. Test strains included Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) in accordance with the standard methods of the German Hygiene and Microbiology Society with the following three organic challenges: i) cell culture medium MEM with Earle’s salts, L-glutamine and 10% foetal calf serum (CCM); ii) 10% sheep’s blood; iii) or a mixture of 4.5% albumin, 4.5% sheep’s blood and 1% mucin. For methodological reasons, the wound cream was tested as a 55% dilution, prepared with 1% Tween 80 (equivalent to a content of 0.275% CHX instead of 0.5% as in the original preparation). CHX 0.275% was tested as control in an aqueous solution and in 1% Tween 80. Additionally, 1% Tween 80 was tested in order to rule out an interfering effect of the dilution medium. A combination of 3% Tween 80, 3% saponin, 0.1% histidine, 0.3% lecithin, 0.5% Na-thiosulphate and 1% ether sulphate was identified as the most appropriate neutraliser during the experiments. Results: Exposed to CCM or 10% sheep’s blood, the tested wound cream fulfilled the requirements for a wound antiseptic against both test species with ≥3 log reduction at 10 minutes. Even at the the worst-case challenge test with 4.5% albumin, 4.5% sheep’s blood and 1% mucin, the requirement for a ≥3 log reduction was met after 24 hours of exposure. Interestingly, the aqueous solution of 0.275% CHX tested as control did not achieve the antimicrobial efficacy of the combination of CHX and 5% dexpanthenol. 1% Tween 80 was ineffective against both test species. Conclusion: Bepanthen® Antiseptic Wound Cream achieves the in vitro bactericidal and fungicidal efficacy required for a wound antiseptic under three different challenges, despite dilution to 55% of the original preparation. So far, the addition of dexpanthenol was intended to support wound healing. However, our results indicate that the antiseptic efficacy of CHX is synergistically increased by adding 5% dexpanthenol. Acknowledging the antimicrobial and residual efficacy of CHX, and bearing in the mind the contraindications to CHX (allergy and anaphylaxis), the tested wound cream should be regarded as better suitable to be used as wound antiseptic than preparations on basis of CHX alon

Decontamination of room air and adjoining wall surfaces by nebulizing hydrogen peroxide

Aim: In 2010, the ASP GLOSAIRTM 400 was introduced in Germany for nebulizing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Since there were no results of practical experience, the new method was to be checked under practical conditions for its effectiveness in decontaminating air in rooms, infested with mold after water damage and, at the same time, under experimentally controlled conditions, test surfaces, contaminated with Aspergillus brasiliensis

Evaluation of the PotoClean® decontamination technology for reprocessing of water supply lines in dental units during routine work

Background: A frequent problem in dental units is the microbial contamination of water and biofilm formation in the water supply lines. After random identification of a bacterial contaminated dental unit (310 cfu/ml) in a practise with 3 dental units we implemented the present study to evaluate the efficacy of the PotoClean® technology, based on anodic oxidation

Minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) of polihexanide and triclosan against antibiotic sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains

Background: An in-vitro study was conducted investigating the antimicrobial efficacy of polihexanide and triclosan against clinical isolates and reference laboratory strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

In vitro-Untersuchungen zur Wirksamkeit und Zytotoxizität von Polihexanid in herkömmlicher galenischer Grundlage und assoziiert an Lecithin

Durch in vitro-Studien konnte gezeigt werden, dass Polihexanid im Vergleich zu anderen bekannten antimikrobiellen Wirkstoffen sowie in Anwesenheit anwendungsnah simulierter organischer Belastungen ein für die Wundantisepsis geeigneter Wirkstoff ist. Im Kontext mit den bekannten Daten zur Verträglichkeit zumindest im Bereich der medizinischen Anwendungskonzentrationen (0,02 % und 0,04 % Polihexanid) und zum Einfluss auf die Wundheilung stützen die hier erhobenen Daten die bestehende Konsensusempfehlung zur Wundantiseptik, nach der Polihexanid zwar auch zur akuten Wundantiseptik, insbesondere aber zur Behandlung chronischer Wunden als geeignet angesehen wird. Auf Basis der biochemischen und biopysikalischen Grundlagen der Wirksamkeit von Polihexanid wurde die Möglichkeit der weiteren Verminderung der Zytotoxizität des Polihexanids bei gleichzeitiger Aufrechterhaltung der bakteriziden Wirksamkeit durch die Bindung an Phosphatidylcholin-haltige o/w-Emulsionen gezeigt; im Testsystem bei gleichzeitiger Anwesenheit von Bakterien und eukaryotischen Zellen unter simulierten Wundbedingungen war bereits die Kombination 0,05 % PHMB / 0,4 % EPC vollständig bakterizid und dabei ohne zytotoxischen Effekt wirksam. Diese Darreichungsform fungiert weiterhin als PHMB-Depot, das auch nach wiederholter Passage durch eine Bakteriensuspension noch die gleiche wundantiseptische Wirksamkeit aufweist wie in der ersten Passage. Erste in vitro- und in vivo-Erfahrungen mit den hier beschriebenen PHMB-haltigen o/w-Emulsionen wurden bereits durch andere Arbeitsgruppen publiziert. Demnach führt diese neue Darreichungsform zu einer größeren Eindringtiefe des Wirkstoffs in die Haarfollikel, die in Bezug auf die Hautfläche das mit Abstand größte Reservoir für die mikrobielle Hautflora und nicht zuletzt auch für eine Repopulation oberflächlich desinfizierter Haut darstellen. Die in vivo–Daten deuten darauf hin, dass mit partikel-gebundenem PHMB eine bessere und nachhaltigere Antisepsis erreicht werden kann als mit freiem PHMB. Zusätzlich zum Beitrag an der Konsensusempfehlung des Polihexanids zur Behandlung chronischer Wunden wird damit als wesentliches Ergebnis der Dissertation die Erschließung von bisher für wässrige PHMB-Lösungen nicht möglicher medizinischer Einsatzorte wie in sensiblen Geweben oder Anwendung bei Neugeborenen, am Auge, in Gegenwart von Knorpel, am Peritoneum und in anderen Körperhöhlen (Blase, Harnröhre, vereiterte Gelenkhöhlen), zur Mukositis-Prophylaxe, bei der Krebschemotherapie, bei Verbrennungen 3. Grades, aber auch in der antimikrobiellen Behandlung von Zellkulturen vorstellbar. Bis zu einer solchen therapeutischen Nutzung sind jedoch noch weitere Studien notwendig. Als günstig dürfte sich erweisen, dass es sich sowohl beim Polihexanid, als auch bei dem hier verwendeten Lipofundin ® um bereits etablierte und gut verstandene Medizinprodukte handelt. Im Kontext der weltweit zunehmenden Antibiotikaresistenzen und Verbreitungswege nosokomialer Erreger bei entsprechend geringer werdenden chemotherapeutischen Interventionsmöglichkeiten durch Antibiotika gewinnt die Möglichkeit des Einsatzes von Antiseptika mit breitem Wirkungsspektrum und guter Verträglichkeit immer mehr an Bedeutung, und dabei auch umso mehr die Erweiterung bestehender Einsatz-Indikationen. Neben der auf den ersten Blick vordringlich erscheinenden Identifikation neuer Wirkstoffe kann nicht zuletzt auf Basis der hier vorgelegten Ergebnisse die auf das gewünschte Wirkumfeld zugeschnittene Modifikation der Darreichungsform bekannter antiseptischer Wirkstoffe als möglicher Weg zur verbesserten antimikrobiellen Therapie herausgestellt werden. Diesem Gedanken folgen beispielsweise bereits Versuche, die die besonderen Eigenschaften von Nanopartikeln oder Peptid-basierten Nanostrukturen für die Bekämpfung von Infektionen und Kolonisationen zu nutzen, wobei deren Einsatz wegen der zum Teil hohen ökologischen Fremdartigkeit für biologische Systeme kritisch evaluiert werden muss. Im Gegensatz dazu ähnelt die Wirkung des Polihexanids auf die zwangsläufig und physiologisch kaum modifizierbar negativ geladenen bakteriellen Zellwandstrukturen dem Wirkmechanismen natürlich vorkommender antibakterieller Peptide wie dem β-Defensin, die einen wesentlichen Bestandteil des evolutionär sehr alten, angeborenen Immunsystems der Vertebraten darstellen – mikrobielle Zellumhüllungen sind anfällig gegenüber polykationischen Verbindungen mit hydrophoben Domänen. Auch das stellt einen Vorteil des Polihexanids gegenüber anderen Antiseptika dar.It was shown by in vitro-studies that polihexanide is suitable for wound antisepsis compared to other known antimicrobial agents, as well as in the presence of simulated organic loads. In context with the known data on the tolerability, at least in the field of medical application concentrations (0.02% and 0.04% polihexanide), and the impact on wound healing, the data collected here support the existing consensus recommendation for wound antisepsis, according to which polihexanide can be recommended even for acute wound antisepsis, but especially for the treatment of chronic wounds. Based on the biochemical and biophysical basis of the effectiveness of polihexanide the possibility of further reducing the cytotoxicity of Polihexanids while maintaining the bactericidal activity by binding to phosphatidylcholine-containing o/w emulsions was shown; in a test system in the simultaneous presence of bacteria and eukaryotic cells under simulated wound conditions the combination of 0.05% PHMB / 0.4% EPC already was completely bactericidal and effective without cytotoxic effect. I addtion, that o/w emulsion will continue to function as PHMB depot that, even after repeated passage through a bacterial suspension, still has the same antiseptic efficacy as in the first passage. First in vitro and in vivo results with the herein described PHMB-containing o/w emulsions have been published by other groups. Accordingly, this new formulation leads to a greater depth of penetration of the drug into the hair follicles, which, in relation to the skin surface, constitute the by far largest reservoir of the microbial flora of the skin as well as for the microbial repopulation of superficially disinfected skin. The in vivo-data suggest that with particle-bound PHMB a better and more sustainable antisepsis can be achieved than with free PHMB. Apart from the contribution to the consensus recommendation of Polihexanide for the treatment of chronic wounds, the development of fields of applications previously impossible for aqueous PHMB solutions is a crucial outcome of this thesis – the use in sensitive tissues or for neonates, in the eye, in the presence of cartilage, the peritoneum and other cavities of the body (the bladder, urethra, ulcerated joint cavities) for mucositis prophylaxis, in cancer chemotherapy, 3rd degree burns, as well as in the antimicrobial treatment of cell cultures now becomes imaginable. But until such a therapeutic use further studies are still necessary. It should prove to be favorable, though, that both polihexanide, as well as the Lipofundin © used herein are already established and well-understood medical devices. In the context of globally increasing antimicrobial resistance and distribution channels of nosocomial pathogens with correspondingly decreasing possibilities of chemotherapeutic intervention by antibiotics, the possibility of the use of naturally broad spectrum activity antiseptics with good tolerability becomes increasingly important, and thereby also even more so the expansion of existing use indications. In addition to the at first glance most urgent identification of new agents the results presented here may prove a possible way to enhanced antimicrobial therapy on the basis of tailored modification of the dosage form of known antiseptic agents to the desired active environment. Follow this line of thought already, for example, are attempts to exploit the special properties of nanoparticles or peptide-based nanostructures for the control of infections and colonizations, even though their use has to be critically evaluated because of the sometimes significant ecological strangeness for biological systems. In contrast, the effect of Polihexanids on the inevitably and physiologically hardly modifiable negatively charged bacterial cell wall structures is quite similar to the mechanisms of action of naturally occurring antibacterial peptides such as β -defensin, which are a key component of the evolutionarily ancient innate immune system of vertebrates - microbial cell envelopes are prone to polycationic compounds having hydrophobic domains. That, also represents an advantage of Polihexanide over other antiseptics

In Vitro Bactericidal and Virucidal Efficacy of Povidone-Iodine Gargle/Mouthwash Against Respiratory and Oral Tract Pathogens

<div><p><b>Article full text</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>The full text of this article can be found here<b>.</b> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40121-018-0200-7">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40121-018-0200-7</a></p><p></p> <p><br></p> <p><b>Provide enhanced content for this article</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>If you are an author of this publication and would like to provide additional enhanced content for your article then please contact <a href="http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/”mailto:[email protected]”"><b>[email protected]</b></a>.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The journal offers a range of additional features designed to increase visibility and readership. All features will be thoroughly peer reviewed to ensure the content is of the highest scientific standard and all features are marked as ‘peer reviewed’ to ensure readers are aware that the content has been reviewed to the same level as the articles they are being presented alongside. Moreover, all sponsorship and disclosure information is included to provide complete transparency and adherence to good publication practices. This ensures that however the content is reached the reader has a full understanding of its origin. No fees are charged for hosting additional open access content.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Other enhanced features include, but are not limited to:</p> <p><br></p> <p>• Slide decks</p> <p>• Videos and animations</p> <p>• Audio abstracts</p> <p>• Audio slides</p><br></div

Proposed phase 2/ step 2 in-vitro test on basis of EN 14561 for standardised testing of the wound antiseptics PVP-iodine, chlorhexidine digluconate, polihexanide and octenidine dihydrochloride

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no agreed standard for exploring the antimicrobial activity of wound antiseptics in a phase 2/ step 2 test protocol. In the present study, a standardised in-vitro test is proposed, which allows to test potential antiseptics in a more realistically simulation of conditions found in wounds as in a suspension test. Furthermore, factors potentially influencing test results such as type of materials used as test carrier or various compositions of organic soil challenge were investigated in detail. METHODS: This proposed phase 2/ step 2 test method was modified on basis of the EN 14561 by drying the microbial test suspension on a metal carrier for 1 h, overlaying the test wound antiseptic, washing-off, neutralization, and dispersion at serial dilutions at the end of the required exposure time yielded reproducible, consistent test results. RESULTS: The difference between the rapid onset of the antiseptic effect of PVP-I and the delayed onset especially of polihexanide was apparent. Among surface-active antimicrobial compounds, octenidine was more effective than chlorhexidine digluconate and polihexanide, with some differences depending on the test organisms. However, octenidine and PVP-I were approximately equivalent in efficiency and microbial spectrum, while polihexanide required longer exposure times or higher concentrations for a comparable antimicrobial efficacy. CONCLUSION: Overall, this method allowed testing and comparing differ liquid and gel based antimicrobial compounds in a standardised setting