Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Eradication of resident bacteria of normal human skin by antimicrobial ointment
J Owen Hendley1, Kathleen M Ashe
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. JOH@virginia.edu
Abstract:
The application of a topical triple-antibiotic ointment (containing neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin) eradicated resident bacteria through 25 layers of the stratum corneum and prevented repopulation of bacteria overnight but not at 1 week. Through 15 layers, mupirocin had some effect, whereas a double-antibiotic ointment had none. The reservoir of resident bacteria in the sebaceous glands is not affected by a topical antibiotic.
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