Some aspects of the mode of action of chlorhexidine

Abstract

Chlorhexidine is rapidly adsorbed by bacterial cells and this adsorption is accompanied by other cytological changes which include changes in the permeability of the cells and in their optical properties. The amount of drug adsorption causing maximum leakage of cell constituents and changes in extinction was found to be equivalent for Escherichia coli and for Staphylococcus aureus. Higher doses of chlorhexidine causing a higher level of drug adsorption caused correspondingly less leakage and change in extinction although such higher doses were more rapidly bactericidal.