Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXII
Written by Getuța DOPCEA, Florentina MATEI

This article will review some current antiseptics used for skin disinfection: povidone iodine (PVP-I), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) and octenidine dihydrochloride (OCTD). These antiseptics are used in both healthcare and household products, for different types of applications preoperative skin preparation, surgical hand scrub, skin wound cleanser, skin wound protectant, hand hygiene, oral care and body wash. In the past years more and more concerns have been raised due to increased resistance to antiseptics and antibiotics of pathogens over the years. Some studies support the cross-resistance to antibiotics triggered by antiseptics. Increased resistance and cross-resistance may result from inadequate skin disinfection, over dilution of the antiseptics and environmental residues of antiseptics. More studies are required to assess the mechanisms of resistance and cross-resistance to antiseptics and antibiotics and also the impact of sub-lethal antiseptic concentration on clinical isolates. Usage guidelines of chlorhexidine were proposed recently, but usage guidelines should address all valuable skin antiseptics in order to be used only in cases where there is a clear benefit.

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