Open AccessBactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide on Cutibacterium acnes
Author(s) -
Paul O. Hernandez,
Brian Sager,
Adeyemi-Doro Fa,
Tyler Liang,
Carla Lozano,
Michael Khazzam
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bone and joint research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.639
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 2046-3758
DOI - 10.1302/2046-3758.81.bjr-2018-0145.r1
Subject(s) - hydrogen peroxide , saline , minimum inhibitory concentration , chemistry , bacteria , minimum bactericidal concentration , microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial growth , pharmacology , food science , medicine , biology , anesthesia , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). We hypothesize that H 2 O 2 reduces the bacterial burden of C. acnes.Methods The effect of H 2 O 2 was assessed by testing bactericidal effect, time course analysis, growth inhibition, and minimum bactericidal concentration. To assess the bactericidal effect, bacteria were treated for 30 minutes with 0%, 1%, 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% H 2 O 2 in saline or water and compared with 3% topical H 2 O 2 solution. For time course analysis, bacteria were treated with water or saline (controls), 3% H 2 O 2 in water, 3% H 2 O 2 in saline, or 3% topical solution for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. Results were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05).Results Minimum inhibitory concentration of H 2 O 2 after 30 minutes is 1% for H 2 O 2 prepared in saline and water. The 3% topical solution was as effective when compared with the 1% H 2 O 2 prepared in saline or water. The controls of both saline and water showed no reduction of bacteria. After five minutes of exposure, all mixtures of H 2 O 2 reduced the percentage of live bacteria, with the topical solution being most effective (p < 0.0001). Maximum growth inhibition was achieved with topical 3% H 2 O 2 .Conclusion The inexpensive and commercially available topical solution of 3% H 2 O 2 demonstrated superior bactericidal effect as observed in the minimum bactericidal inhibitory concentration, time course, and colony-forming unit (CFU) inhibition assays. These results support the use of topical 3% H 2 O 2 for five minutes before surgical skin preparation prior to shoulder surgery to achieve eradication of C. acnes for the skin. Cite this article: P. Hernandez, B. Sager, A. Fa, T. Liang, C. Lozano, M. Khazzam. Bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide on Cutibacterium acnes. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:3–10. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.81.BJR-2018-0145.R1.