Sodium hypochlorite decontamination of split-thickness cadaveric skin infected with bacteria and yeast with subsequent isolation and growth of basal cells to confluency in tissue culture

Abstract

The ability of sodium hypochlorite to decontaminate skin while leaving sufficient epidermal cell viability for growth in tissue culture was investigated with an in vitro system. Split-thickness cadaveric skin was infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans and subsequently treated with various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite for various time intervals. Exposure to a 0.5% solution of sodium hypochlorite for 6 min effectively decontaminated the skin while leaving 66% of tl*, basal cells viable.The basal cells were subsequently grown to confluency in tissue culture. This study demonstrates that microbial colonization of skin can be eliminated by exposure to dilute hypochlorite. This procedure, while decontaminating the skin, leaves sufficient viability of epidermal cells for subsequent growth and expansion in tissue culture, elements essential for grafting over wounds.

Novel Sodium Hypochlorite Cleanser Shows Clinical Response and Excellent Acceptability in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

“…The antimicrobial effect of low molar ratios of sodium hypochlorite probably results from the irreversible aggregation of essential bacterial proteins . The safety of topical dilute sodium hypochlorite has been well established in human and animal studies . A study of the use of topical, unbuffered sodium hypochlorite for the management of burn wound infections examined the optimum concentration of sodium hypochlorite with regard to safety and efficacy .…”

“…It has been widely accepted that the use of sodium hypochlorite does not lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Unlike other antiseptic preparations, dilute sodium hypochlorite has been found to be nontoxic to tissues and mucosal surfaces in human and animal studies . Many dermatologists now incorporate intermittent use of dilute sodium hypochlorite “bleach baths” as an adjunctive therapy for individuals with AD.…”

Effect of Dakin's Solution on Components of a Dermal Equivalent

“…A more recent study by the same group found a dose and time dependent decrease in ATP depletion starting at a 0.00005% solution, combined with FCS 2%, and continuing to decline [8]. Other studies have shown a correlation with time exposure in relation to a decrease in basal cell viability with a 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution over 10 minutes [9].…”

Cutaneous wound healing modulation of lesions infected by Staphylococcus epidermidis and treated with 4% stabilized sodium hypochlorite solution

“…In this context, chlorinated products like sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is proven to be microbiocidal for disinfection of surfaces (14)(15)(16) and in addition they have shown therapeutic applicability, as dental root canal irrigants (17), skin decontamination (18,19) and wound healing (20)(21)(22)(23).…”