Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Various Hand Disinfectants and Ozonated Water to Human Keratinocytes in a Cultured Epidermal Model : Advances in Skin & Wound Care

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ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Various Hand Disinfectants and Ozonated Water to Human Keratinocytes in a Cultured Epidermal Model

Kashiwazaki, Jun DDS; Nakamura, Kiwamu MD; Hara, Yasuka MD; Harada, Rie MMT; Wada, Ikuo PhD; Kanemitsu, Keiji MD

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Advances in Skin & Wound Care 33(6):p 313-318, June 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000658592.51430.ea

Abstract

OBJECTIVE 

To evaluate the cytotoxicity of various hand disinfectants and ozonated water to human keratinocytes using a cultured epidermal model.

DESIGN 

Using a test protocol from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, investigators applied hand disinfectants containing either 83% ethanol, 0.2% benzalkonium chloride, 0.5% povidone-iodine, 1% chlorhexidine, 1% chlorhexidine ethanol, or ozonated water to a cultured human epidermal model. Surface morphology and histologic changes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES 

Production of inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1α by keratinocytes and cell death rate.

MAIN RESULTS 

Electron microscopic analysis revealed the creation of small holes on the stratum corneum, and hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed perinuclear vacuolation of keratinocytes and cells with a condensed nucleus. Interleukin 1α was detected in the culture supernatants. More than 80% of keratinocytes did not survive after a 15-minute application of disinfectants. However, no significant damage was detected with ozonated water.

CONCLUSIONS 

Ozonated water did far less damage to keratinocytes than the tested disinfectants. Although the ability of ozonated water to disinfect hands of medical staff members requires further study, it might serve as an alternative with minimum cytotoxicity.

Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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