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2007-8-28 16:25:54 |
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Washing hands with antibacterial soaps is no more effective than plain soaps in preventing infectious illness and may in fact increase bacterial drug resistance, making some antibiotics less effective, according to a new study published in the August 2007 edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Allison Aiello from the University of Michigan School Of Public Health and colleagues also found that antibacterial soaps indicated for consumers' use do not remove any more bacteria from the hands during washing than plain soaps. In addition, use of antibacterial soaps may cause some bacteria to be resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as amoxicillin because of the way triclosan in many antibacterial soaps affects the bacterial cells, the researchers say. Although the effect of antibacterial soaps on bacterial drug resistance was not detected at a population level, lab studies have shown use of 0.1 percent wt/vol triclosan soap increases E. coli's resistance. "What we are saying is that these e-coli could survive in the concentrations that we use in our (consumer formulated) antibacterial soaps," Aiello said. "What it means for consumers is that we need to be aware of what's in the products. The soaps containing triclosan used in the community setting are no more effective than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms, as well as reducing bacteria on the hands." Reviewing 27 studies conducted between 1980 and 2006, the researchers found that soaps containing triclosan at 0.1 to 0.45 percent wt/vol were no more effective than plain soaps although high concentrations of triclosan indicated for use in hospitals may be useful. Earlier studies found that washing hands with triclosan-loaded soaps can lead to formation of chlorine, a gas that can damage the lungs. |
