Efectivity Test of Antiseptic Solution 1% Triclosan Against Staphylococcum aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Washing hands using antiseptic solution is an important step in preventing the spread of infection in healthcare facilities. Triclosan is one of the widely used antiseptics because of its effectivity against a wide range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. It is also well tolerated by the skin and hardly induced allergic reaction. In this study we assessed the in vitro effectivity of 1% triclosan hand wash solution from BSN Medical Indonesia against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Triclosan solution was mixed with several concentration of bacteria and inoculated in Muller Hinton agar. After 24 hours incubation, the growth of these bacteria on agar were assessed. Triclosan 1% is effective against S. aureus, E. faecalis, dan E. coli, but it is not effective against P.aeruginosa. Triclosan use in hygienic hand wash and surgical hand wash must be reconsidered, because P. aeruginosa is one of main etiology of nosocomial infections. Besides, triclosan has a potency of inducing antibiotic resistance and its residue can contaminate the environment by producing toxic substances and spreading resistance to environmental bacteria. Keywords: Antiseptic, in vitro effectiveness, pathogenic bacteria