Antibacterial Soaps: A Clean Kill

Jeannette Rogers-Madden

School of Science and Natura! Resources
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan 49783


Abstract

	Hands play a major role in the spread of disease. Reducing the
number of transient flora through hand antisepsis can decrease the
danger of disease. This concern is illustrated with a current trend in the
market place, producing hand soap with antibacterial properties. The
objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of various
antibacterial soaps on the disease causing bacteria, Staphylococcus
aureus. The antibacterial soaps used in this study included brands
such as Dial, Softsoap, Safeguard, Equate, and Mediscrub. Three trials
of each product were performed in which S. aureus was added to test
tubes containing a prepared solution of soap and water. An
inoculating loop was used to transfer a portion of the tube contents to
an agar plate. This was performed at 15 second intervals for a total of
two minutes. The plates were then incubated at 35 degrees Celsius for
two days. A comparative analysis was done on the amount of bacterial
growth after exposure to the soaps. Results indicated the antibacterial
soaps did reduce the presence of S. aureus The use ofthese hand
washing agents, combined with efficient hand washing, can result in a
reduction of disease causing microorganisms on the hands.

Selected References

Larson, Elaine. "APIC guideline for hand washing and hand antisepsis
in health care seftings." American Journal of Infection Control 1995
vol.23 pp.251-263

Barg, Neil. " Environmental Contamination with Staphylococcus
aureus and Outbreaks: The Cause or the Effect?'" Infection Control
and Hospital Epidemiology 1993 vol. 14 pp.367-368