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Antiseptics, with a broader spectrum of antimicrobial efficacy, lower risk of antibiotic resistance development, and minimal collateral damage to host tissues, are important alternatives to control the bioburden in wounds. Povidone iodine (PVP-I), in use for several decades, has the broadest spectrum of activity, a persistent antimicrobial effect, an ability to penetrate biofilms, and a lack of acquired or cross-resistance. It demonstrates good skin tolerance and low cytotoxicity. However, some reports on PVP-I have raised concerns over allergy, ineffective penetration, and toxic effects on host cells. The majority of these concerns are based on in vitro or rodent wound studies with diverse study designs and outcomes; these results may not be directly applicable in the clinical reality in humans. In this paper, we discuss the efficacy and safety of PVP-I and outline its place in wound healing in Asia, based on an appraisal of recent literature and clinical practice across the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the abstracts of the papers presented at the Fifth Asian Pacific Congress on Antisepsis on July 14-17, 2005 in Cairns, Australia. These include "The Efficacy of Povidone-Iodine-Ethanol for Hand Disinfection," "Microbial Contamination of Antiseptic-Soaked Cotton Balls," "Evaluation of Efficacy of Hand Washing for Sterile Preparation," and "The Effect of Gargling with Povidone-Iodine for the Oral Environment."

Abstracts of papers about transfusion medicine and hemotherapy are presented, including "Experience With Bacterial Screening of Blood Products in the Netherlands," "Methods for Bacterial Detection in Blood Components" and "The Reduction of Bacterial Transmission in England."

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the cell surface hydrophobicity of 40 oral Candida albicans isolates obtained from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics using steroid inhalers, and healthy individuals, following brief exposure to subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate. Materials and Methods: Forty C. albicans oral isolates (10 isolates each from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics using steroid inhalers, and healthy individuals) were exposed to 3 subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate (0.00125, 0.0025, and 0.005%) for 30 min. Thereafter, the antiseptic was removed and the cell surface hydrophobicity was measured by a biphasic aqueous-hydrocarbon assay. Results: Compared to the unexposed controls, the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans isolates was suppressed by 5.40% (p > 0.05), 21.17% (p < 0.05), and 44.67% (p < 0.05) following exposure to 0.00125, 0.0025, and 0.005% chlorhexidine gluconate, respectively. Conclusions: A brief period of transient exposure to subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate may modulate the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans isolates and thereby may reduce candidal pathogenicity. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In clinical practice, treatment of genital tract infections is based on administration of either antibiotics or antiseptics. While antibiotics may be applied systemically or topically, antiseptics may be applied only topically. In case of bacterial vaginosis (BV), antibiotic therapy may often be limited and side effects due to systemic administration may develop. Polihexanide (PHMB) is a promising option for the topical treatment of genital tract infections, in particular BV and vaginitis. Method: A systematic search for publications on the use of PHMB for the treatment of genital infections in two electronic databases was performed. Titles, abstracts and citations were imported into a reference database. Duplicates were removed and two reviewers assessed each identified publication separately. Results: Among a total of 204 references, 3 prospective randomized trials were identified. Two trials treated BV infections with PHMB in comparison to clindamycin as antibiotic standard therapy with no significant differences either in safety or in efficacy. The third controlled trial investigated the clinical efficacy of PHMB compared to placebo in the treatment of human papilloma virus. Patients treated with PHMB daily for up to 16-weeks showed significantly higher (52%) clearance of genital warts as compared to patients treated with placebo (4%). Conclusion: PHMB may be a clinically effective alternative for the treatment of BV and human papilloma virus. Although PHMB-based antiseptics are available since the late 90s, controlled trials to investigate its clinical potential for antiseptic treatment are scant. Clinical use of antiseptics for the treatment of infectious diseases should be explored and supported further. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacterial colonization and infection are important factors in compromised wound healing. Antiseptics have become an alternative for antimicrobial applications as antibiotic resistance is increasing; they have multiple targets with a broad spectrum of activity. Hence, the risk for developing resistance should be low. However, concerns have been raised that their growing use may result in bacteria that are less susceptible. Methods: The capacity of common antiseptics such as silver nitrate, polihexanide, octenidine, chlorhexidine and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-iodine to induce adaptation in a Staphylococcus aureus strain was analyzed in vitro using microplate laser nephelometry. S. aureus was repeatedly incubated with the respective half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) over a time period of 100 days. The influence of the continued treatment was determined by in situ monitoring of changes in the dose-response curves and calculation of the current IC50 values for the substances tested. Results: During the experiment, S. aureus quickly adapted to high concentrations of the antibiotic mupirocin during repeated treatment. Moreover, a significant increase of the IC50 for silver nitrate was observed over time. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed for polihexanide or chlorhexidine. While the IC50 for octenidine was also found to increase significantly, although the change was only marginal, reiterated incubation with PVP-iodine led to a decrease in the IC50. Conclusion: Repeated treatment of S. aureus with polihexanide, chlorhexidine, octenidine and PVP-iodine did not trigger bacterial adaptation to these substances. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonization and infection of wounds represent a major reason for the impairment of tissue repair. Recently, it has been reported that tissue-tolerable plasma (TTP) is highly efficient in the reduction of the bacterial load of the skin. In the present study, the antiseptic efficacy of TTP was compared to that of octenidine hydrochloride with 2-phenoxyethanol. Both antiseptic methods proved to be highly efficient. Cutaneous treatment of the skin with octenidine hydrochloride and 2-phenoxyethanol leads to a 99% elimination of the bacteria, and 74% elimination is achieved by TTP treatment. Technical challenges with an early prototype TTP device could be held responsible for the slightly reduced antiseptic properties of TTP, compared to a standard antiseptic solution, since the manual treatment of the skin surface with a small beam of the TTP device might have led to an incomplete coverage of the treated area. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies over recent years have revealed the presence of a resident bacterial population in the human skin throughout the entire body. However, the localization and composition of the bacteria within the epidermis and the skin appendages have not been fully investigated. Using differential tape stripping, cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsies and mapping of hair follicles, bacteria on the forearms of study participants were isolated, mapped, cultured and identified with respect to their origin within the epidermis and the hair follicles. Our studies showed that 85% of the bacteria were found within the first 6 corneocyte layers and roughly 25% of the cutaneous bacterial population were localized within the hair follicles. The microbial flora of the skin between individuals is subject to considerable fluctuations. Micrococcaceae represent the biggest fraction of hair-follicle-associated bacteria. The techniques developed for this study allowed us to selectively investigate the bacterial population within the hair follicles. Our results point out the role of skin appendages as potential microbial reservoirs and the need to develop new antiseptic formulations that sufficiently penetrate into the hair follicles. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The efficacy of antimicrobial compounds included in wound dressings has been determined using the quantitative suspension test according to EN 13727 before. However, as suspension tests are not an accurate reflection of the conditions under which wound antiseptics are used, it was investigated if a disc carrier test would yield results simulating practical conditions on wound surfaces. A silver-leaching foam wound dressing was used for evaluation of the disc carrier test method. Method: The disc carriers consisted of circular stainless-steel discs measuring 2 cm in diameter and 1.5 mm in thickness, complying with the requirements of EN 10088-2. Carriers were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, together with an artificial wound secretion and left to dry at room temperature for 30 min. The wound dressings being tested were placed on the discs for the length of the exposure time, and after neutralization by thioglycolate in phosphate-buffered saline the number of surviving test organisms was then counted. The logarithmic reduction factor was calculated from the difference between the initial inoculum and the number of recovered test organisms. Results: The disc carrier test allowed determination of an antimicrobial efficacy in a realistic setting. It also imposed more stringent requirements on efficacy over time than the quantitative suspension test. The silver foam wound dressing showed a time-dependent antimicrobial efficacy. After 24-hour application time, the reduction factors against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and the methicillin-resistant S. aureus were 1.9 ± 0.15, 2.1 ± 0.14 and 3.1 ± 0.18, respectively. Conclusion: The disc carrier test was a useful method for testing the antimicrobial efficacy of a foam silver dressing. The antimicrobial dressing exhibited an antimicrobial effect after 3 h and achieved a reduction >2 log against the tested bacterial strains in the presence of a simulated wound secretion after 24 h. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are no generally accepted definitions for wounds at risk of infection. In clinical practice, too many chronic wounds are regarded as being at risk of infection, and therefore many topical antimicrobials - in terms of frequency and duration of use - are applied to wounds. Based on expert discussion and current knowledge, a clinical assessment score was developed. The objective of this wounds at risk (W.A.R.) score is to allow decision-making on the indication for the use of antiseptics on the basis of polihexanide. The proposed clinical classification of W.A.R. shall facilitate the decision for wound antisepsis and allow an appropriate general treatment regimen with the focus on the prevention of wound infection. The W.A.R. score is based on a clinically oriented risk assessment using concrete patient circumstances. The indication for the use of antiseptics results from the addition of differently weighted risk causes, for which points are assigned. Antimicrobial treatment is justified in the case of 3 or more points. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We report our experience with the use of povidone iodine instillation into the renal pelvis for the treatment of chyluria. Materials and Methods: From August 2006 to November 2008, 26 patients with chyluria were treated. There were 18 males and 8 females ranging from 24–55 years of age. Cystoscopic localization of chylous efflux was done. Povidone iodine as a sclerosing agent was instilled through a ureteric catheter placed in the renal pelvis. A total of 9 doses were given at 8-hour intervals for 3 days. Unilateral instillation was done in 20 cases, and bilateral instillation was done in 6 patients. Results: Twenty-one of 26 patients showed complete clearance. In 4 patients, recurrence was noted and a repeat injection was given after 4 weeks, with success, in 2 patients. The other two patients required chylolymphatic disconnection. One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Our experience shows that povidone iodine is a safe and effective sclerosing agent in the management of chyluria. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground:Establishing the bioequivalence of topical drug products is a costly and time-consuming process since, with few exceptions, clinical efficacy trials are required. Objective:To develop a surrogate for clinical bioequivalence testing through evaluation of the kinetics of drug absorption in vitro through excised human skin. Methods:The percutaneous absorption of seven approved generic topical drug products was compared with their corresponding reference products during preclinical development using the Franz diffusion cell. Thereafter, following the conduct of bioequivalence trials and regulatory approval of these products in the United States, clinical data became available to which the in vitro data were compared. Results:In six of the seven cases the in vitro test:reference ratio for total absorption was close to one and indicated that the products were equivalent, in agreement with the clinical data. Results from the seventh case, in which the test:reference ratio was only 0.63, indicated that the in vitro model actually had greater sensitivity than the clinical method to detect small differences between products. Conclusion:These data demonstrate the relevance and predictive power of the in vitro human skin model and strongly support its use as a surrogate for in vivo bioequivalence studies.Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine on the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin collected from patients. Sound dentin from freshly extracted human teeth was used as a control. Dentin fragments were mixed with a synthetic substrate for proteolytic enzymes (N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide – BANA) and the suspensions mixed with either 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate or distilled water. These mixtures were incubated for 18 h at 37°C, color was developed by the addition of 0.1% Fast Garnet and their optical density was recorded spectrophotometrically. BANA hydrolysis measured by the optical density of incubated specimens was detected in all tested groups, but was significantly higher for carious than for sound dentin (p < 0.05). The proteolytic activity was reduced for carious coronal and root dentin by chlorhexidine (p < 0.05; 50 and 30%, respectively). Chlorhexidine also reduced the proteolytic activity in sound root dentin (p < 0.05; 20%). Conversely, changes in the proteolytic activity of sound coronal dentin were not observed in the presence of chlorhexidine. The reduction in proteolytic activity by chlorhexidine was significantly higher in carious coronal dentin than in carious root dentin (p < 0.05). In conclusion, part of the effect of chlorhexidine in controlling caries progression in humans may be due to a decrease in the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin. Because of the prolonged incubation time in the present study, similar results may be obtained clinically with prolonged dentin exposure to chlorhexidine, e.g. chlorhexidine-containing varnishes. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish the bacterial flora of the perineum before and after antiseptic preparation in male urology patients. Patients/Methods: Adult male patients undergoing cystoscopic procedures were studied. Three sets of swab specimens, labelled A, B and C, were taken from the perineum in the theatre. Specimen A was taken before cleaning and disinfection of the skin with Savlon® (Chlorhexidine- cetrimide mixture), specimen B after disinfection and draping, and C after completion of the operative procedure. Specimens were processed on standard laboratory media for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and yeasts. Results: Of the 114 patients studied, 43 (37.7%) had a positive culture for significant microorganisms in specimen A, 7 (6.1%) in specimen B and 13 (11.4%) in specimen C (A vs. B p < 0.001, A vs. C p < 0.001, B vs. C p < 0.01). The commonest isolates in specimen A wereGram-positive organisms (84.1%). The positive-culture rate for patients with end-stage renal failure was 71.4%, for those with a urethral catheter it was 53.8%, for those without systemic diseases it was 36.6% and for patients with diabetic mellitus it was 28.1%. Conclusion: About 38% of patients undergoing cystoscopic procedures had a significant positive perineal culture, with Staphylococcus species being the predominant skin flora. The bacteria culture rate was affected by the presence of systemic diseases. The use of Savlon to disinfect the perineum resulted in a significant reduction in the bacterial count of the perineum. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntroduction:We report on a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, single-center confirmatory study with random assignment. The purpose of the study was to investigate the topical bioavailability of different topical corticosteroid formulations in healthy human beings focussing on desoximetasone (DM). Materials and Methods:Two DM 0.25 formulations [ointment (DM-o) and fatty ointment (DM-fo, water-free); class III corticosteroids], the corresponding active ingredient-free vehicles and three comparators of different strength [clobetasol propionate 0.05 (CP 0.05), fatty ointment, class IV; hydrocortisone (HC) 1, fatty ointment, class I, and betamethasone (BM) 0.05, fatty ointment, class III] were tested using the vasoconstriction assay. The degree of vasoconstriction (blanching) in the treatment field was compared to the one found in untreated control fields using chromametric measurements and clinical assessment. Results/Conclusion:DM-o 0.25, DM-fo 0.25 and BM 0.05 showed similar vasoconstrictive potential, i.e., clear blanching. In fact, both DM preparations were proven to be noninferior to BM 0.05, while CP 0.05 was found a little less active. HC 1.0 and the DM vehicles showed no clear-cut vasoconstrictive effect. No adverse events related to the study medications were observed. Good topical bioavailability of both DM formulations was detected by chromametric measurement and clinical assessment.Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the past, it was assumed that the intercellular route was the only relevant penetration pathway for topically applied substances. Recent results on follicular penetration obtained at the Center for Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, emphasize that the hair follicles represent a highly relevant and efficient penetration pathway and reservoir for topically applied substances.Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe tissue cultures of explants of neonatal rat peritoneum have been demonstrated to be a sensitive test for tissue compatibility with wound antiseptics. The present study investigated the suitability of this method to assess the relative toxicity of mouthrinses to tissue. Mouthrinses containing 0.1% chlorhexidine (Chlorhexamed® Fluid 0.1%) (A), 0.3% triclosan (Colgate®) (B), essential oil in ethanolic solution (Listerine®) (C), and amine/stannous fluoride (Meridol®) (D) were tested at use concentration and in dilutions of 10, 1, and 0.1% with exposure times of 1, 10, and 30 min, respectively. The mouthrinses (test) and Ringer’s solutions (control) were applied to opened rat peritoneum. After thorough irrigation with Ringer’s solution, a piece of peritoneum was removed and 1 × 1 mm explants were cut. The explants were cultivated with a bovine serum culture medium in 24-well plates at 37°C in a CO2 incubator (95% air, 5% CO2). After 10 days, the tissue proliferation for the explants was assessed by a stereo microscope at 10× magnification after ethanol fixing and hemalaun staining. With 24 grafts per test, the proliferation rate was calculated relative to a control, which was run for each mouthrinse and concentration/time combination. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (SPSS 11.0) and post-hoc paired t test. Statistical significance of all correlations was tested by setting the significance level at p < 0.05. At most concentrations, D caused significantly less tissue damage than A or B. There was no difference between C and A or C and B at 100%. However, the toxicity of C was significantly less than A or B at 10, 1, and 0.1%. C and D behaved similarly except for the 10% (30 min) and the 1% (10 min) solutions in which C was significantly less toxic. We concluded that the rat peritoneum explant test was demonstrated to be a sensitive test to assess the relative toxicity of mouthrinses to tissue.Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound care and the use of antiseptics has long been the subject of much debate within the health professional’s literature. This study was undertaken to determine the range of literature available on povidone-iodine (PVP-I) antiseptic use and the evidence supporting the outcomes reported. A range of articles was collected and divided into subgroups based on hierarchy of evidence and the five evidence dimensions [1]. Using the READER® scoring tool, articles were evaluated and given a numerical award between 4 and 25 as a determinant of their quality in method, statistical analysis and outcome measures, with those scoring 12.5 or higher (from a possible 25) deemed as offering a satisfactory level of evidence. Statistical analysis on the results prior to applying the READER scoring tool found that overall 49% of articles did not support PVP-I use. However, this situation changed when the quality of evidence was limited to articles scoring >12.5. The higher-scored articles showed a 71% support for the continued use of PVP-I. The outcome of this study shows that there is reason for further debate over the use of PVP-I. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of several povidone-iodine (PVP-I) products, a number of other chemical agents and various physical conditions were evaluated for their ability to inactivate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Treatment of SARS-CoV with PVP-I products for 2 min reduced the virus infectivity from 1.17 × 106 TCID50/ml to below the detectable level. The efficacy of 70% ethanol was equivalent to that of PVP-I products. Fixation of SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells with a fixative including formalin, glutaraldehyde, methanol and acetone for 5 min or longer eliminated all infectivity. Heating the virus at 56°C for 60 min or longer reduced the infectivity of the virus from 2.6 × 107 to undetectable levels. Irradiation with ultraviolet light at 134 μW/cm2 for 15 min reduced the infectivity from 3.8 × 107 to 180 TCID50/ml; however, prolonged irradiation (60 min) failed to eliminate the remaining virus, leaving 18.8 TCID50/ml. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the effectof povidone-iodine liposome hydrogel on colonic anastomosis. Methods: 70 Wistar-Albino male rats were randomly divided into seven groups. The left colon was transected and end-to-end anastomosis was performed. PVP-I liposome hydrogel was applied around the anastomoses in groups 2 and 5. Colonic bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline contents were measured on postoperative days 3 and 7. Results: PVP-I application did not cause any difference in the bursting pressures on postoperative day 3, but anastomotic strength was significantly increased by the use of PVP-I on postoperative day 7. The use of PVP-I liposome hydrogel had no effect on the level of perianastomotic hydroxyproline on postoperative day 3 but had positive effects on postoperativeday 7. Conclusions: We concluded that the beneficial effects of PVP-I liposome hydrogel might be due to the combination of broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of PVP-I with the drug delivery properties and moisturizing molecular film effects of the liposome hydrogel. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to study remineralization in dentin underneath a biofilm. This was done in a constant depth film fermentor (CDFF) which was modified so that two treatments can be applied simultaneously in one experiment. Forty-five Streptococcus mutans biofilms were grown in grooves in dentin. Growth medium (3.7 g/l BHI, 1.5 mM calcium and 25 mM PIPES) was administered alternately with 2% sucrose pulsing 4 × 30 min/day. Fluoride at 135 ppm as NaF only or in a mixture with 0.2% chlorhexidine was applied for 2 × 5 min/day. The treatments started 5 days after inoculation and lasted 15 days. Five specimens per group were removed at various time points. The biofilms were checked for viability (by plating) and acid content (by capillary electrophoresis). The dentin specimens were analysed for mineral loss and lesion depth (by transversal microradiography). Fluoride treatment had no effect on the viability but reduced lactic acid production by 75%. The mixture treatment reduced the viability by 80% and the lactic acid content by 93% on the first day and later reduced the two parameters to below the detection limits. Significant differences in changes in mineral loss and lesion depth were observed between the treatment groups. Partial remineralization but deeper lesions were observed in the fluoride group, while nearly complete remineralization was seen in the mixture group. In conclusion, the CDFF S. mutans biofilm model can be used as a de- and remineralization biofilm model, and the split mode is particularly suitable for testing caries-preventive agents. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of a topical secretory IgA antibody manufactured in tobacco plants (plantibody) in preventing recolonization of mutans streptococci (MS) in human plaque as measured by whole stimulated saliva samples. Methods: Following a 9-day antimicrobial treatment with chlorhexidine (CHX), 56 eligible adults (enrollment salivary MS ≥ 104 CFU/ml; no current caries) were randomized equally to a group receiving 0, 2, 4, or 6 topical applications of plantibody followed by 6, 4, 2, or 0 applications of placebo, respectively, over a 3-week period. Results: Among the 54 subjects who completed the trial, the CHX regimen eliminated salivary MS in 69%. After 6 months, there were no significant differences in MS levels by number of applications, relative to placebo (p > 0.43). No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: Plantibody is safe but not effective at the frequency, concentration, and number of applications used in this study. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical study evaluated the effect of rinsing with an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse, with or without 100 mg/kg fluoride ion, on the plaque metabolic acid production and plaque pH response after a sucrose challenge. This observer-blind, randomized study used a three-way crossover design. Twenty-four subjects rinsed with 20 ml of one of the following rinses: (1) essential oil (EO) mouthrinse, (2) essential oil mouthrinse plus 100 mg/kg fluoride, or (3) negative control, for 30 s, twice daily for 16 days. On day 17, 1 h after the last mouthrinse, subjects rinsed with 20 ml of mass fraction 10% sucrose solution for 1 min. Seven minutes after the sucrose challenge, supragingival plaque was collected from molar and premolar teeth. Plaque pH and metabolic acid ions were analyzed using a micro pH electrode and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. The results showed that after EO mouthrinse dental plaque produced 36% less lactate, 36% less acetate and 44% less propionate than after the negative control rinse. The dental plaque also exhibited a pH 0.42 unit higher after EO rinse than after the negative control rinse. These results were not affected by the addition of 100 mg/kg fluoride to the EO mouthrinse. From these results we concluded that this EO antiseptic mouthrinse, with or without fluoride ion, is effective in reduction of plaque acidogenicity after a sucrose challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]