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

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.