RT Journal Article
T1 Effect of long-term use of alcohol-containing handwashing gels on the biofilm-forming capacity of staphylococcus epidermidis
A1 López-Gigosos, Rosa María
A1 Mariscal-Lopez, Eloisa
A1 Gutiérrez-Bedmar, Mario
A1 Mariscal-Larrubia, Alberto
K1 Epidermis
K1 Gel hidroalcohólico
K1 Manos - Desinfección
AB The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has promoted the use of hand sanitizers among the general population as recommended by health authorities. Alcohols, which are used in many hand sanitizers, have been shown to promotes the formation of biofilms by certain bacteria and to increase bacterial resistance to disinfection. We investigated the effect of continued use of alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer on biofilm formation by the Staphylococcus epidermidis resident strain isolated from the hands of health science students. Hand microbes were counted before and after handwashing, and the ability to produce biofilms was investigated. We found that 179 (84.8%) strains of S. epidermidis isolated from hands had the ability to form biofilm (biofilm-positive strains) in an alcohol-free culture medium. Furthermore, the presence of alcohol in the culture medium induced biofilm formation in 13 (40.6%) of the biofilm-negative strains and increased biofilm production in 111 (76.6%) strains, which were classified as low-grade biofilm-producing. Based on our findings, there is no clear evidence that the continued use of alcohol-based gels results in the selection of strains with the capacity to form biofilms. However, other disinfectant formulations that are more commonly used in clinical settings, such as alcohol-based hand-rub solutions, should be tested for their long-term effects.
PB MDPI
YR 2023
FD 2023-03-13
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26823
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26823
LA eng
NO Lopez-Gigosos RM, Mariscal-Lopez E, Gutierrez-Bedmar M, Mariscal A. Effect of Long-Term Use of Alcohol-Containing Handwashing Gels on the Biofilm-Forming Capacity of Staphylococcus epidermidis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(6):5037. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065037
NO Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026