Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of commonly used alcohol based hand sanitizers on common pathogenic bacteria.

Deepak Kumar; Satyendra Kumar Kaushal; Gopal Kumar; Vidyut Prakash; Pradyot Prakash; Gopal Nath

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2015

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of commonly used alcohol based hand sanitizers on common pathogenic bacteria.

Deepak Kumar, Satyendra Kumar Kaushal, Gopal Kumar, Vidyut Prakash, Pradyot Prakash, Gopal Nath,

Abstract :

Background: Hands are primary mode of transmission of microbes and infection. Hand hygiene is a simple and least expensive means of preventing hospital acquired infection. Companies producing hygiene products have offered a solution in form of sanitary, antimicrobial, alcohol based hand sanitizers to destroy these microbes. Aim: To investigating the antibacterial activity of commonly used alcohol based hand sanitizers on some selected common pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Seven different sanitizers viz. A®, B®, C®, D®, E®, F®, and G® used for hand hygiene from seven different manufacturers were incorporated in this study. The test organisms used were common pathogenic bacteria responsible for hospital acquired infection. The antibacterial activity of hand sanitizers on pathogenic bacteria was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Findings: Hand sanitizer and E® was the most oad spectrum antibacterial agent, followed by and F®. Brand G® was the most potent inhibiting most of the bacteria tested with very wide zone of inhibitions but the product showed poor activity against Ps. aeroginosa and S. marcescens. Other sanitizer ands A®, B® were effective only against a few bacteria with a limited scale, while the effectiveness of C®, D® were poorest as indicated by minimal or no activity against the tested microorganisms. Conclusion: Manufacturers need to maintain strict quality control of their products in order to avoid each of trust in promotion of hand hygiene. Regulatory authorities should enforce stringent quality control measures during production and routine inspections to ensure the efficacy of these products.