Hand Carriage of Gram-negative Bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus

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Abstract
The influence of hexachlorophane disinfection on the bacterial hand flora of hospital personnel has been examined. Hexachlorophane effectively reduced the total number of bacteria and the staphylococcal carriage. Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from 18·8% of the personnel, and 13% of the carriers continued to carry Gram-negative bacilli for more than six months. The carrier rate was significantly higher among those using hexachlorophane detergents (20·8%) than among those using plain soap (14·1%). Prolonged hand carriage of Gram-negative bacilli was often associated with skin irritation, especially of the nailfolds. Hand carriage may be an important source of Gram-negative infections in hospital, and the increase in these infections may partly be due to extensive use of hexachlorophane preparations.