Related Experiment Videos
[Antisepsis of mucous membranes--current status and aspects of future development]
1Klinikum der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen.
Abstract:
The mucous membranes colonized by high numbers of microorganisms play a major role as a source of nosocomial infections. According to clinical requirements it seems reasonable to distinguish three modes of application of antiseptics: 1. single prophylactic (prior to mucosa-penetrating interventions), 2. repeated periodical (wound care, treatment of oral cavity in intubated patients, decontamination of granulocytopenic patients), 3. therapeutic (local mucosal infections) including treatment of carriers to prevent transmission and spread of pathogens. Active agents commonly in use are PVP-iodine, cation-active detergents (e.g. chlorhexidine), oxygen-releasing compounds and organic mercury compounds. Presently chlorhexidine and PVP-iodine are the most frequently applied of these antiseptics while the organic mercury compounds are less important because of limited efficacy, toxicological and ecological problems. Preliminary data from investigations using a newly developed antiseptic, octenidine, a bispyridine compound, demonstrate reduction factors comparable to those obtained by PVP-iodine. Yet no standardized test methods for the efficacy of different substances and methods of application have been established.
Insights
Mucous membranes are a source of nosocomial infections. New antiseptic octenidine shows efficacy comparable to PVP-iodine, but standardized testing is needed for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antiseptic Research
Background:
- Mucous membranes harbor microorganisms, serving as a significant source for nosocomial infections.
- Antiseptics are crucial for prophylactic, periodical, and therapeutic applications in clinical settings.
- Current antiseptics include PVP-iodine, chlorhexidine, oxygen-releasing compounds, and organic mercury compounds, with varying efficacy and safety profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical requirements and applications of antiseptics on mucous membranes.
- To evaluate the efficacy of commonly used antiseptics and introduce a novel compound, octenidine.
- To highlight the need for standardized testing methods for antiseptic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical requirements for antiseptic application modes (prophylactic, periodical, therapeutic).
- Comparison of efficacy data for established antiseptics like PVP-iodine and chlorhexidine.
- Presentation of preliminary data on the efficacy of the new bispyridine antiseptic, octenidine.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct clinical application modes for antiseptics on mucous membranes.
- Noted that PVP-iodine and chlorhexidine are currently the most frequently used antiseptics.
- Preliminary data indicate octenidine achieves reduction factors comparable to PVP-iodine.
Conclusions:
- Octenidine presents promising efficacy for mucosal antisepsis, potentially rivaling PVP-iodine.
- Standardized methods are essential to accurately assess the effectiveness of different antiseptics and their application techniques.
- Further research is required to establish octenidine's role and optimize its use in preventing nosocomial infections.