Major articleA comparison of the antibacterial efficacy and cytotoxicity to cultured human skin cells of 7 commercial hand rubs and Xgel, a new copper-based biocidal hand rub
Section snippets
Materials
The hand rubs were provided as samples by their manufacturers. Xgel (hand rub A) is a new Aloe vera-based hand gel containing 314 ppm of the novel copper-based formulation CuAL42,6 together with xanthan gum and citric acid as thickener and stabilizer, respectively, and was provided by Remedy Research Ltd. Desisoft (hand rub B) was provided by Soft Protector Ltd, Espoo, Finland. Nexan (hand rub C) was provided by Nettuno s.r.l. viale Industria, Castelli Calepio (BG), Italy. Spirigel (hand rub D)
Cytotoxicity assay
Cytotoxicity dose-response curves for the 3 non-alcoholic hand rubs (A, B, and C) are shown in Fig 1A. Hand rub A, a non-alcoholic hand gel consisting of Aloe vera gel 314 ppm of CuAL42, a copper-based biocide as the active ingredient, reduced cell survival by 40% at the highest concentration (10% vol/vol) but was not cytotoxic at lower concentrations. Hand rub B, a handwash that contains polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG; 0.3%) as its active vingredient, had a 50% cytotoxic
Discussion
The results of the cytotoxicity assay show that the 8 hand rubs tested have a wide range of cytotoxicity to A-431 human skin cells. Three of the 4 hand gels tested (A, D, and E) had modest cytotoxic effects on A-431 cells with CC50 values of >10%, 7.5%, and 6% vol/vol, respectively, with hand rub G (CC50 = 0.7% vol/vol) being the exception. Hand rubs D and E contain only ethanol as their active ingredient, and their CC50 values were similar to that of ethanol (Table 1). Hand rub A contains a
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Lack of sustained efficacy for alcohol-based surgical hand rubs containing ‘residual active ingredients’ according to EN 12791
2017, Journal of Hospital InfectionCitation Excerpt :A propanol-based hand rub with 0.2% MES was found to be more cytotoxic on human skin cells than expected based on the composition of propanols. MES is presumably responsible for the unexpectedly strong cytotoxicity.41 In another study the substance was shown to have a skin-smoothing effect after two weeks of application.42
Application of copper to prevent and control infection. Where are we now?
2012, Journal of Hospital InfectionCitation Excerpt :Although it has been postulated that there may be a role for making hospital soft surfaces such as sheets and clothing from copper-impregnated biocidal textiles, there are no clinical data to support the efficacy of such an intervention in reducing HCAI and questions remain unanswered about issues such as cleaning and the decontamination of such materials.36 The biocidal effects of liquid formulations containing copper have also been assessed; a number of laboratory studies have postulated a role for copper-based hand rubs and cleaning products as effective infection prevention and control interventions.37,38 Furthermore, a clinical study assessing the performance of ultramicrofibre cleaning technology with the addition of a copper-based biocide (CuWB50) demonstrated a significant reduction in total viable count in the hospital environment when compared with ultramicrofibre mops and cloths moistened with water alone.39
The authors reply
2011, Critical Care MedicineThe use of copper as an antimicrobial agent in health care, including obstetrics and gynecology
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Remedy Research Ltd. contracted and funded this research on its proprietary and patented copper-based formulations.
Funded in part by the NIMR/UCLH/UCL Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre (to V.A.G). The authors report no conflicts of interest.