Abstract :
Context: Alcohol-based hand-rubs (ABHR) are widely used for hand hygiene. The presence of many brands with different formulae and prices complicates product selection.
Aim: To demonstrate differences in antibacterial efficacy, if any, among ABHRs available in India.
Objectives: 1) Evaluate and compare six common Indian brands of ABHRs, and also the ABHR formulation recommended by the WHO, against 60% iso-propanol. 2) Compare prices of Indian brands Methods and Material: Hands were artificially contaminated with Escherichia coli, ATCC® 25922TM strain. Bacterial load on hands was tested before and after ABHR use to assess efficacy. Testing technique was a modification of the EN 1500 method of the European Committee for Standardization.
Statistical analysis used: ANOVA.
Results: Three products were as effective as 60% iso-propanol, two were better and one was actually worse.
Branded ABHR were five to six times more expensive than 60% isopropanol.
Conclusions: Several expensive brands of ABHR were no better than 60% iso-propanol. Additional CHG made no difference to ABHR efficacy.
Key Messages: Four of the six Indian ABHR brands tested were no better than 60% iso-propanol, the reference standard handrub of the European Committee for Standardization. CHG did not demonstrate better antibacterial efficacy in the 30 seconds of hand rubbing provided ABHRs were tested with CHG neutralizing products to eliminate the carry-over effect.
Keyword :
Alcoholbased hand rub (ABHR), Chlorhexidine gluconate, Efficacy, Price India.