Polyhexamethylene guanidine
hydrochloride-based disinfectant: a novel tool
to fight meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus and nosocomial infections
The
original text from site http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Oule MK, Azinwi R, Bernier AM, Kablan T, Maupertuis
AM, Mauler S, Nevry RK, Dembele K, Forbes L,
Diop L.
1Department of Biological Science, Faculty
of Science, College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface,
200 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2H 0H7, Canada. moule@ustboniface.mb.ca
Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMGH),
an antimicrobial biocide of the guanidine family,
was tested for efficacy against quality-control
strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, meticillin-resistant
S. aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli. Bactericidal
activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and
Salmonella choleraesuis was determined using
the official methods of analysis of the Association
of Official Analytical Chemists, with modifications
as recommended by the Canadian General Standards
Board. For MRSA and E. coli, the MIC and minimal
bactericidal concentration were determined using
the broth dilution technique. The experiments
were carried out at 20 degrees C under a range
of conditions including varying PHMGH concentration
(0.001-0.1 %), contact time (0.5-10 min) and
water type (distilled, tap and hard water).
The phenol coefficient values determined with
S. aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis and P. aeruginosa
were 7.5, 6.1 and 5, respectively. No matter
what type of water was used to make the dilutions,
PHMGH killed MRSA and E. coli at concentrations
as low as 0.04 and 0.005 % (w/v), respectively,
within 1.5 min. The mode of action of PHMGH
was elucidated by transmission electron microscopy:
the cell envelope was broken, resulting in cell
content leakage into the medium. The ultimate
aim of this study was to show that PHMGH can
be used as an odourless, colourless, non-corrosive
and harmless disinfectant for hospital and household
facilities.
