This study analyzed the antibacterial effect of polyhexanide biguanide (PHMB) agents (PHMB-concentration 0.005-0.1 % ) against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant-S. aureus (MRSA) after 2 min incubation in presents of albumin in different concentrations (0-3 % ) in a standardized quantitative suspension assay.
A significant decrease of the antibacterial activity against S. aureus was shown for a PHMB-concentration of 0.005 % from 0.3 % albumin (p < 0.05), respectively highly significant from 0.75 % (p < 0.01) on. Thereby the loss of antimicrobial effect was presented as a linear correlation to the rising concentration of albumin. Furthermore a reduction of the antibacterial activity against MRSA in comparison to S. aureus was presented, for albumin concentrations from 3 % on highly significant (p < 0.01).
The study showed that albumin causes a significant decrease of the antibacterial potency of PHMB-based antiseptics. Furthermore a diminished potency of the investigated substances for MRSA-contaminated wounds must be taken in consideration. If in vitro experiments show a significant decrease of antibacterial efficacy in the presence of albumin a sufficient activity of PHMB-based agents in clinical practice, especially in cases of exuding wounds or dried-up exudates, cannot be expected.