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Efficacy of Chlorhexidine against Some Strains of Cultured and Clinically Isolated Microorganisms

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Abstract

The efficacy of chlorhexidine digluconate was determined against some strains of collected and clinically isolated bacteria and fungi. The efficacy was evaluated either by calculating a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or by efficacy trials according to the guidelines of the European Committee for Standardization. The MIC values of chlorhexidine for Staphylococcus aureus, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were 0.625 μg/ml, 12.5 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 6.25 μg/ml, respectively. The in vitro efficacy of chlorhexidine was higher against ATCC strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (0.5 mg/ml for 5 min and 0.5 mg/ml for 10 min, respectively) than against clinical isolates (0.5 mg/ml for 15 min and 1 mg/ml for 10 min, respectively). The antiseptic activity of aqueous solutions of chlorhexidine against spores of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillis sfericus and Clostridium perfringens required longer contact times than against the vegetative forms. Nevertheless, 5 mg/ml of chlorhexidine in water–ethanol 20:80 v/v was totally effective against the vegetative forms or spores of these microorganisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Pathology, Division of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

    R. Odore & G. Re

  2. Teknofarma, Research Laboratory, Turin, Italy

    V. Colombatti Valle

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  1. R. Odore
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  2. V. Colombatti Valle
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  3. G. Re
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Odore, R., Colombatti Valle, V. & Re, G. Efficacy of Chlorhexidine against Some Strains of Cultured and Clinically Isolated Microorganisms. Vet Res Commun 24, 229–238 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006442715761

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