A study by Radischat et al was designed to compare the efficacy of different antiseptic agents, including octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), and povidone-iodine, under challenge with human wound exudate in place of standardized organic load in vitro according to DIN EN 13727. Protein content, pH, and temperature were compared with standardized testing conditions.

The antiseptic agents were reduced to varying extents depending on their bactericidal efficacy, when challenged with human wound exudate, in comparison with standardized conditions. The greatest effects were noted with 0.10% OCT, attaining full efficacy after 30 seconds. CHX and PHMB were found to be the least efficient. Besides protein content, other components of wound exudate, including microflora, have an impact on the efficacy of antiseptics.

Optimization of in vitro testing conditions that more appropriately simulate the wound bed environment would provide a more realistic picture on the potential performance of antiseptics in clinical practice.

Source: Radischat N, Augustin M, Herberger K, et al. Influence of human wound exudate on the bactericidal efficacy of antiseptic agents in quantitative suspension tests on the basis of European Standards (DIN EN 13727). Int Wound J. 2020 Mar 5.