'Persistent activity' of chlorhexidine or alcohol-based hand rubs-what is really necessary to prevent nosocomial infections?

摘要

Kaiser et al presented a study that, from our point of view, has several relevant limitations in its design and overall construction that may limit its translation into clinical practice. First, in our opinion, the authors do not provide adequate evidence that chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has persistent activity. In both the ex vivo and the in vivo sections of the study, after inoculation of the test organisms with previously treated pig or human skin, sampling was performed using a modified cup scrub technique. The paper does not specify that the sampling fluid used in this technique contained neutralizing agents.