Improved experimental model for measuring skin degerming activity on the human hand

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Evaluating antimicrobial agents' interaction with skin flora is crucial for hygiene and infection control.
• Existing skin sampling techniques can be complex and yield variable results.
• A need exists for a reproducible and simplified in vivo model for assessing skin degerming agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel gloved-hand method for evaluating antimicrobial agents' effects on human skin's resident bacterial flora.
• To establish a reproducible and statistically sound experimental model for in vivo skin degerming agent assessment.

Main Methods:

• A simplified skin sampling technique using an eluting fluid added to a gloved hand.
• Quantification of recoverable bacteria from hands before and after washing with nonmedicated soap.
• Assessment of bacterial reduction following treatment with a hexachlorophene-containing surgical scrub.

Main Results:

• The gloved-hand method demonstrated reproducible bacterial recovery over 5 days.
• A single hexachlorophene scrub significantly reduced recoverable bacteria, with maximal effect at 30 minutes.
• Surgical brush use minimally impacted the degerming extent achieved by the hexachlorophene formulation.

Conclusions:

• The presented gloved-hand method provides a satisfactory experimental model for in vivo evaluation of skin-degerming agents.
• Controlling transient bacteria with nonmedicated soap stabilizes baseline flora for precise measurement of treatment interactions.
• The model allows for statistically confident comparisons of different treatment interventions on hand microflora.