In vitro action of a combination of selected antimicrobial agents and chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a highly anionic polymer and the most predominant sulfated glycosaminoglycan in connective tissues, was investigated regardi ng to its interaction with cationic disinfectants, which are used as antiin fectives in humans. Combinations of cetylpyridiniumchloride (CPC), chlorhex idine (CHex), and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) with CS, respectively, were prepared and the resulting microbicidal activity of the mixtures was tested in the quantitative suspension test without organic matter. Polyvido ne-iodine and Ringer's solution were used as controls. Even precipitated, t he resulting test combinations behave differently against Staphylococcus au reus, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coil, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and C andida albicans. CPC/CS demonstrated only microbicidal activity against Gra m-positive bacteria, and CHex/CS was more active against Gram-negative bact eria and C. albicans. PHMB/CS, especially in combination with CS-A, only re vealed an antimicrobial effect against P. aeruginosa after 60 min action. T he interaction of cationic disinfectants with CS showed depending on the in vestigated microorganism a more or less controlled sustained release manner of the microbicidal agent from the precipitated complex, with the only exc eption of PHMB in combination with CS-C, which is completely neutralized. P olyvidone-iodine and Ringer's solution were not affected by CS. (C) 2000 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.