ASDC journal of dentistry for children
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Comparative Study
In vitro susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA to four disinfectants.
The spread of nosocomial infections caused by pathogenic organisms such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has prompted the dental community to focus more attention on certain control strategies. In the present study, we tested the abilities of the four skin disinfectants (povidone iodine, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, and ethanol) to prevent horizontal transmission of MRSA in the dental office. ⋯ The 0.1 percent chlorhexidine gluconate proved the least effective of four disinfectants. More than 10(2) bacteria survived despite exposure to it for thirty minutes.