[Antisepsis of mucous membranes--current status and aspects of future development].

The mucous membranes colonized by high numbers of microorganisms play a major role as a source of nosocomial infections. According to clinical requirements it seems reasonable to distinguish three modes of application of antiseptics: 1. single prophylactic (prior to mucosa-penetrating interventions), 2. repeated periodical (wound care, treatment of oral cavity in intubated patients, decontamination of granulocytopenic patients), 3. therapeutic (local mucosal infections) including treatment of carriers to prevent transmission and spread of pathogens. Active agents commonly in use are PVP-iodine, cation-active detergents (e.g. chlorhexidine), oxygen-releasing compounds and organic mercury compounds. Presently chlorhexidine and PVP-iodine are the most frequently applied of these antiseptics while the organic mercury compounds are less important because of limited efficacy, toxicological and ecological problems. Preliminary data from investigations using a newly developed antiseptic, octenidine, a bispyridine compound, demonstrate reduction factors comparable to those obtained by PVP-iodine. Yet no standardized test methods for the efficacy of different substances and methods of application have been established.