Microbicidal effects of plain soap vs triclocarban-based antibacterial soap

J Hosp Infect. 2016 Nov;94(3):276-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.07.010. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the bactericidal effects of plain and antibacterial soap. The bactericidal effects of plain and antibacterial soap containing 0.3% triclocarban were examined against 10 Gram-positive and 10 Gram-negative bacterial strains after exposure at 22°C and 40°C for 20 s. Gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible to both soaps than Gram-positive bacteria. However, with one exception (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 at 40°C), there was no significant difference between the effects of medicated and non-medicated soap at either temperature. Triclocarban in soap does not lead to a meaningful reduction in bacterial levels during use.

Keywords: Antibacterial soap; Antiseptic active ingredient; Bactericidal effect; Hand soap; Triclocarban.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carbanilides / pharmacology*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / physiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / physiology
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects*
  • Soaps / pharmacology*
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Carbanilides
  • Soaps
  • triclocarban