Chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate as a wound care material coating: antimicrobial efficacy, toxicity and effect on healing

 Aims: In this study, chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate (CHX-HMP) is investigated as a persistent antimicrobial coating for wound care materials. Materials and methods: CHX-HMP was used as a wound care material coating and compared with chlorhexidine digluconate materials with respect to antimicrobial efficacy, toxicity and wound closure. Results: Antimicrobial efficacy at day 1, 3 and 7 was observed with experimental and commercial materials. CHX-HMP coated materials had less toxic effect on human placental cells than commercial chlorhexidine dressings. CHX-HMP in pluronic gel did not delay healing but reduced wound colonisation by E. faecalis. Conclusions: CHX-HMP could become a useful component of wound care materials with sustained antimicrobial efficacy, lower toxicity than chlorhexidine digluconate materials, and reduction in wound colonisation without affecting closure.