Assessment of antibacterial efficacy of Lugol's iodine compared with commercial hand sanitizers of Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction. Hand disinfection is an essential step to prevent infection, reduce morbidity and minimize health care costs in a community. Aim. In this study, the Lugol 's iodine (2%) solution was evaluated to use as an emergency hand sanitizer and compared with the three commercially available hand sanitizers (Hexisol, Sepnil and Handirub) of Bangladesh. Methods. These hand sanitizers were examined and analyzed by susceptibility test, minimum bactericidal concentration test and efficacy determination test. The agar diffusion test was used to assess the efficacy of the products against pathogenic Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Results. Handirub has inhibited all the test organisms with highest zones of inhibition ranging between 24.38 mm and 28.63 mm while Hexisol zone of inhibition was ranging from 13.3 mm to 15 mm. Unfortunately, Sepnil was inactive against Salmonella typhi, with very poor performance against other test organisms. All the three commercial hand sanitizers were only bacteriostatic at 100% concentration, while both 2% and 1% iodine were 100% bactericidal. The comparative study of the efficacy determination tests revealed that the Hexisol, Sepnil and Handirub are 93.05%, 85.99% and 96.57% effective against microorganism, respectively. Interestingly, both 2% and 1% of iodine solutions gave 100% reduction of viable bacteria during the efficacy determination test. Conclusion. It is concluded that 1% iodine showed better results against infection when compared to the other hand sanitizers used in this study. Recommendation. Lugol's iodine could be an effective alternative to hand washing to achieve asepsis for the health-care professional in emergency outreach program and water scarcity areas.