A comparison of the effect of chlorhexidine antisepsis, soap and antibiotics on bacteriuria, perineal colonization and environmental contamination in spinally injured patients.

The effect of chlorhexidine antisepsis on bacteriuria, perineal colonization by coliforms and environmental contamination by these organisms was investigated in spinally injured patients treated by intermittent catheterization. Patients were body washed daily in chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine cream was applied to the glans penis after each catheterization. Urine cultures were obtained each day. A statistically significant reduction in bacteriuria was achieved by antisepsis in male patients not receiving antibiotics, from 74% of urine cultures in patients receiving soap to 60% with antisepsis (P less than 0.01). No effect of antisepsis was found on perineal coliform colonization, nor on contamination of bed sheets or the environment by these organisms. There was a significant reduction in perineal coliforms by antibiotics.