About CHG
Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) is a unique agent that closely fits the definition of an ideal antimicrobial, having one of the most important characteristics of persistent activity. This persistence is due to CHG binding to tissue proteins and, thus, being available for residual activity.
For decades, CHG has been used in various products including dental rinses for the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis2,3,4,5,6, an effective treatment for both bacterial and mycotic vaginal infections7, primary treatment for fungal corneal ulcers in tropical developing countries8,animal infections9,10, as a surgical hand scrub, a general hand wash, a patient preoperative skin preparation and for general wound and skin cleansing.
CHG appears to be more bactericidal than similar topical preparations containing povidone-iodine, triclosan, or hexachlorophene. Additionally, CHG inhibits re-growth of microorganisms on the skin and has a broader spectrum of activity than these other agents, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. Unlike iodine-containing disinfectants, the antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine is not reduced by the presence of organic matter, such as blood11.
CHG may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal in action, depending on the concentration and the susceptibility of the organism. CHG also has antifungal and antiviral activity. CHG is generally inactive against bacterial spores. Chlorhexidine is a cationic compound and the antibacterial activity is the result of attraction between positively charged chlorhexidine and negatively charged bacterial cell surfaces. Chlorhexidine becomes absorbed into the cell surfaces of susceptible organisms, with specific and strong adsorption to certain phosphate-containing compounds. This disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane and results in increased permeability.
Chlorhexidine is active against a variety of bacteria and fungi including:
USP<51> LAB TESTS (0.05%)12
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Candida albicans
- Aspergillus niger
BACTERIAL STUDY (0.05%)13
- MRSA – hospital acquired
- MRSA – community acquired
- Coagulase negative staphylococci
1. Traditional 510(k) - IRRISEPT Wound Cleansing System; Section B: 15-22, on file at IRRIMAX Corporation
2. Sunstar Americas,Inc. GUM Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%; https://commerce.jbutler.com/pdf_files/full_pi.pdf
3. GreatVista Chemicals Chlorhexidine http://www.greatvistachemicals.com/pharmaceutical_intermediates/chlorhexidine.html
4. Journal of the California Dental Association: March 2003 "A Review of the efficacy of Chlorhexidine on Dental Caries and the Caries Infection"
5. American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program: A peer reviewed publication; "Chlorhexidine: a multi-functional antimicrobial drug"
6. Journal of Clinical Periodontology: Oct 97, Vol 24 Issue 10, p 753-760 "Effects of tetracycline hydrochloridine and chlorhexidine gluconate on candidia albicans: An in vitro study"
7. Medscape "Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Chlorhexidine-Base Vaginal Gel in Vaginal Infections" http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481671
8. Ophthalmic Epidemiology 1977 Vol4 No. 3 pp 141-149 "Trial of Chlorhexidine gluconate for fungal corneal ulcers"
9. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Volume 22, Number 4, 2006. "Pharmacokinetics of Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.02% in the Rabbits Cornea"
10. World Journal of Surgery: Feb 2005, Vol 29 Issue 2, p227-230, "Chlorhexidine Gluconate: An Ideal Scolicidal Agent in the Treatment of Intraperitoneal Hydatidosis"
11. Christensen, K., Christensen, P., Dykes, A., Kahlmeter G., et al. (1983). Chlorhexidine for prevention of neonatal colonization with group B streptococci. In Vitro effect of chlorhexidine on group B streptococci. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 16:157-165.
12. Laboratory Testing Records per USP <51>, Antimicrobial Effectiveness Testing, on file at IRRIMAX Corporation
13. Laboratory Testing Records, "Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Bacterial Study Report", on file at IRRIMAX Corporation
