BACKGROUND: Because most bacteria isolated from contaminated platelet concentrates are thought to originate from the donor's skin, the efficacy of four methods of skin disinfection was compared. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Contact plates were used for antecubital skin cultures after they were demonstrated to be easier to use and at least as sensitive as a swab system. One antecubital fossa of each subject was disinfected by a standard method, the use of a povidone-iodine swabstick containing 0.75-percent available iodine followed by the use of a povidone-iodine swabstick containing 1-percent available iodine. The other arm was disinfected with either a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol scrub followed by an ampoule of 2-percent iodine tincture (Group 1; n = 126); a green-soap sponge followed by a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol swab, used for donors who are allergic to iodine (Group 2; n = 30); or a 0.5-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol sponge followed by an ampoule of 0.5-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (Group 3; n = 40). Contact plate cultures were done before and after disinfection, and colonies counted after a 48-hour 37 degrees C incubation period. RESULTS: Similar numbers of bacteria grew from both antecubital fossae of the same subject before disinfection (p = 0.71). Compared to the standard povidoneiodine method, isopropyl alcohol and tincture of iodine resulted in significantly less bacterial growth (p < 0.001), the green soap and isopropyl alcohol method resulted in significantly more bacterial growth (p < 0.001), and the chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol method resulted in similar amounts of bacterial growth (p > 0.3). CONCLUSION: Isopropyl alcohol scrub followed by iodine tincture is more efficacious than povidone-iodine as measured by contact plate cultures. For donors who are allergic to iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol is more efficacious than green soap and isopropyl alcohol.
BACKGROUND: Because most bacteria isolated from contaminated platelet concentrates are thought to originate from the donor's skin, the efficacy of four methods of skin disinfection was compared. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Contact plates were used for antecubital skin cultures after they were demonstrated to be easier to use and at least as sensitive as a swab system. One antecubital fossa of each subject was disinfected by a standard method, the use of a povidone-iodine swabstick containing 0.75-percent available iodine followed by the use of a povidone-iodine swabstick containing 1-percent available iodine. The other arm was disinfected with either a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol scrub followed by an ampoule of 2-percent iodine tincture (Group 1; n = 126); a green-soap sponge followed by a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol swab, used for donors who are allergic to iodine (Group 2; n = 30); or a 0.5-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol sponge followed by an ampoule of 0.5-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (Group 3; n = 40). Contact plate cultures were done before and after disinfection, and colonies counted after a 48-hour 37 degrees C incubation period. RESULTS: Similar numbers of bacteria grew from both antecubital fossae of the same subject before disinfection (p = 0.71). Compared to the standard povidoneiodine method, isopropyl alcohol and tincture of iodine resulted in significantly less bacterial growth (p < 0.001), the green soap and isopropyl alcohol method resulted in significantly more bacterial growth (p < 0.001), and the chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol method resulted in similar amounts of bacterial growth (p > 0.3). CONCLUSION:Isopropyl alcohol scrub followed by iodine tincture is more efficacious than povidone-iodine as measured by contact plate cultures. For donors who are allergic to iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol is more efficacious than green soap and isopropyl alcohol.
Authors: Sandhya R Panch; Thejaswi Bikkani; Vanessa Vargas; Jolynn Procter; James W Atkins; Virginia Guptill; Karen M Frank; Anna F Lau; David F Stroncek Journal: Biol Blood Marrow Transplant Date: 2018-08-09 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: M L Wilson; M P Weinstein; S Mirrett; L G Reimer; C Fernando; F T Meredith; L B Reller Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2000-12 Impact factor: 5.948