Evaluation of the Efficacy of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Sold in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Regarding the protection of community and health professionals suffering from a COVID-19 outbreak, currently different alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been distributed. Even though for effective protection effective alcohol-based hand sanitizers are mandatory. Their efficacy was not evaluated. This is the reason why this research was designed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of hand sanitizers that have been sold in southern parts of Ethiopia. Methods Six test organisms ( Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium and Shigella boydii ) were selected from different clinical specimens. Then seven locally made products of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (MTU, Folium Fine, Epharm, Harego, Taflen and Sheba) were purchased and the disc diffusion, minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration test were done against selected test organisms. Quality control measures throughout the whole process of the laboratory work were implemented and descriptive parameters were analyzed. Results The zones of inhibition of the hand sanitizers at their claim concentration were ranged from noninhibition zone (Folium) to 27mm (Sheba). The minimum inhibitory concentration against all selected test organisms was observed at 45%, 55%, 65% and Taflen on undiluted form. The growth of test organisms was decreased across increasing the concentration gradient of different hand sanitizers. MTU except against E. coli, Fine, Hargo, Ephra and Sheba hand sanitizers were showed growth below 60% concentrations for all test micro-organisms. But a Folium product against all selected test micro-organisms and MTU product against E. coli were not bactericidal. Conclusion Fine, Hargo, Ephra, Sheba and Taflen sanitizers were the products that were effective in inhibiting the growth of all the selected test organisms, and they were having effective bactericidal activity in vitro at their claim concentration. But MTU product against E. coli and Folium product against all test microorganisms were not having an effective bactericidal activity. So, regulatory authorities and manufacturers should implement strict quality control measures and regular observations throughout the production to ensure the efficacy of hand sanitizers.

Hygiene of Medical Devices and Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for Alcohol-Based and QAC Disinfectants among Isolates from Physical Therapy Departments

“…In the present study, for alcohol-based disinfectants, the MIC values for the majority of isolates range between 9.4 and 150 g/L, which is comparable to other studies [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. There was only one outstanding strain, Staphylococcuss cohnii, in institution A at the physiotherapy department on the therapeutic pillow after use, where the MIC value was four-fold higher than the average value of other Staphylococcus strains, which can indicate reduced susceptibility [ 50 ].…”

Evaluation of quality and antimicrobial efficacy of locally manufactured alcohol-based hand sanitizers marketed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the era of COVID-19

“…The 3 holes were filled with 100μL of the hand sanitizer at the same time while the other two holes were filled with an equal volume of sterile water and ampicillin suspension for negative and positive control purposes, respectively. The Mueller Hinton agar was incubated at 37° C for 24 h. The zones of inhibition of the sample products to each test organism were examined with a ruler in millimeters by considering the average of two readings that were found from a triplicate of agar diffusion test for each ABHS sample [ 24 , 25 ].…”

A review on using an alcohol-based sanitizer as a prophylactic measure against microorganisms

“…Antibacterial activity of ABHS & ABHSs (hand rubs) is due to alcohol's ability to breakdown protein. To counteract the drying effect of the alcohol, these products typically contain 60-95 percent alcohol with thickening additives like polyacrylic acid, glycerine, or propylene glycol [20] MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING Many countries have specific regulations that govern the production of ABHS [21]. In Europe, ABHS are governs by the Biocidal Products Regulation [22].…”