[Experimental study of topical uses of para-chloro-methyl-xylenol in burns: therapeutic effect against Staphylococcus...

The therapeutic effect of para-chloro-methyl-xylenol (PCMX), a disinfectant of phenol compound, against Staphylococcus aureus infection in burns is evaluated in the present article. The MIC of PCMX is 50 micrograms/ml. Experimental study was done on deep burn wounds of white rabbit. Bacterial stock of Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated on the wound surface 15 min after the burn. Five hours later, cream base, and creams of 1% silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD) and 5% PCMX were topically applied followed by dressing change once a day. Biopsy was performed on the third postburn day. Samples of subeschar tissue were sent for bacterial count and pathological examination. The average bacterial count per gram of subeschar tissue of cream base, Ag-SD cream, and PCMX cream groups was 4.69 X 10(8), 3.05 X 10(6), zero, respectively. Gross inspection of the wound surface showed dry and intact in PCMX cream group, while in the other two groups autolysis of the eschar were seen. Microscopic examination of the pathological sections indicated a generalized lesion with degeneration and necrosis of the epithelium and the dermis, subcutaneous edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and degeneration of myofascia. The lesion seen in PCMX group was mild. While those of the other two groups were severe with the amount distribution of Staphylococcus aureus and more severe in the cream base group. Results of the study demonstrated that PCMX is an effective antimicrobial agent against Staphylococcus aureus. Its better therapeutic effect might be due to a higher concentration of PCMX cream than that reported in the literature was used in the present study.